I have done several paint and weathering projects over the past few years since getting my airbrush but this week had a surprise when putting decals on a steam loco tender. I use Polly Scale Steam Power Black, followed by Model-Flex clear coat, then Micro-Set, then decals, then Micro-Sol. I have not had any trouble with decal solutions attacking the paint until this time. I tried to go a little lighter with the gloss coat this time because I had trouble with an slight orange peel finish on some projects. I sprayed 4 lighter coats which looked like enough. When the decal work was done, the Micro-Sol left what look like water stains in the paint. I tried to scrub it with a bit of water but was no help. I then put Micro-Sol over the whole tender to try to match the stain so to speak but I just got a bigger mess. Mr. Tender is now back in the alcohol soak. All I can guess is that the clear coat wasn't thick enough. Another steam loco and a rotary snowplow project with the same paint didn't have this problem. Anyone else have an idea what went wrong, or had a similar experience? Thanks, George V.
george i have not been happy with the clearcoate problems ive been having also i bought the micoscale gloss and flat from the lhs and both were thick as white glue and did not thin nicly with water or alcohol. next peoblem was with testor dull cote wrikling paint after being left to dry for a week the D/C wrecked a real nice paint job. i feel for you buddy
I've never had issues with Microscale products. Neither have I had problems with either Testors dull or gloss coats. I do get orange peel with different kinds of paint interacting with each other. Depending on the type of paint used (gloss or semi-gloss), I sometimes lay the decals straight on, with Micro-Sol, then when the decal is all settled, I put the clear coat on to seal it all. I have never seen the Micro-Sol damage the paint - depending on how irregular the surface is, I use a lot, several applications over a few hours. Maybe I haven't run into the problem *yet*...
Wow, that is very surprising to hear. I have been using Micro Set and Micro Sol for decal application since the early 1980s and have never had any problems like you mentioned. Maybe a bad batch of paint or clear coat that did not cure completely? Jamie
I find it hard to belive the MicroSol is the culprit. MicroFlat, maybe, and I might believe Solvaset, but I;m more inclined to blame the Model-Flex. Is it safe for acrylics? (not used it before) I know the Testor's Dull and Gloss has many pf the same if not all the properties of an enamel paint, and those WILL do a number on Acrylic paint-jobs.
Flash, The paints, including the ModelFlex clear gloss, are all acrylic. No solvent based stuff used at all. It was the decal setting solution (MicroSol, not MicroSet) that messed up the paint. Next time around I'll give it a heavier coat of the clear gloss and hopefully not see the problem. George V.
