Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've brused on some MicroSet, applied transfer from the water using a brush. Once dried brushed on a layer of MicroSol this didn't remove the ridges on the shoulder pads, so I added more MicroSol with a brush. It still has no effect, in total I've added about 6 layers of MicroSol after each has dried. The transfers are about 6 years old, however they came off the sheet after being in the water for only 10 seconds or so.

Shall I continue to add MicroSol or do you think I've lost all hope in redeeming them? Anything else I can do?

MIcro sol will not eliminate the "ridge" of the decal. It only makes the deal more mailable, thus it conforms better to irregular surfaces.

If you want to eliminate the ridge, then use some kind of brush on additive, I prefer Future Floor Polish. Add a layer, let it dry, repeat a few times and you will be able to build up enough around that edge so that it looks less like a decal.

Here are some examples;

I don't think the age should make too much difference. It sounds like the Micro Sol isn't working. Have you tried shaking the bottle? or tested it on some different transfers?

You can also try heating the decal with a hairdryer to try and get get creases out.

If creases are really stubborn you could try polystyrene cement, but obviously you'd have to be very careful.


EDIT:

Sorry I was confusing ridges with creases. What red finger said. ^

I'm using decals from the first release of Tau in 3rd ed and they work fine. Probably around 10 years old.

They need to soak in water for 2+ minutes before they release from the paper but apply just as well as normal once released. I use microsol to soften them to work around curves and I find it does hide the edges a little (but not totally).

To properly apply decals and hide the edges as best as possible you should be applying them onto a gloss varnished surface, soak until released, apply, pat dry, apply microsol, let sit for 2-3 minutes to soften the decal, burnish it on with a tissue (rub it to work it onto the surface which also thins the edges a little; be careful or it'll tear), and then seal it with either more gloss varnish or matte varnish.

After that I spray the minis with my usual can of satin varnish (I find it makes them "pop" more on the table than matte but gloss can look silly) and the edges of the decals are pretty much gone.

Even using printable decal paper which is significantly thicker than GW decals I can eliminate the edges using this process.

Is future floor polish the same as pledge in the UK?

If I should be using varnish, what vanish do people recommend? That I can brush on and use in an Airbrush?

I don't like airbrushing any sort of clear coat, even the acrylic ones, because they have gummed up my airbrush in the past.
I use the Microscale "Micro Gloss" and "Micro Flat" made by the same company as Microsol. They are acrylic so clean up easy and are easily brushed on and dry in minutes. Generally I brush on the Micro Gloss, put the decals in water, and the gloss is dry before the decals are ready to be transferred.

*edit*
You can see their full line of products here:
http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=FINPROD

A local hobby store near me carries them all so I've never had to buy online.