Alternative decal setters

[KarlW]

Been using micro sol/set for a while but it is failing me a bit lately with some Tamiya decals so I was wondering what alternatives people are using?
I'm thinking of getting some Mr. Mark Setter (Is the Neo an improved version?)

[adt70hk]

Karl

My Tamiya decal experience is rather limited but I have never had and serious problems with decals, other than Tamiya..... Have a look at the Mossie I have finished.... The red crosses either side of the fuselage.

Are you sure it's not the decals?

ATB.

Andrew

[KarlW]

Karl

My Tamiya decal experience is rather limited but I have never had and serious problems with decals, other than Tamiya..... Have a look at the Mossie I have finished.... The red crosses either side of the fuselage.

Are you sure it's not the decals?

ATB.

Andrew

Pretty sure it is, the coloured ones are thin, but you need to place a white one under some of them and that's sort of heavy, 7 goes with the sol and I'm still not happy. Sucking the joy out of this build and turned it into a chore.......

[minitnkr]

I use Solvaset for tough decals, it's a bit stronger than Microset/Microsol.

[Mini Me]

Same here. :thumb2:

[Mr Bowcat]

I use the Ultimate Modelling Products decal solutions, they come in 3 strengths. Having said that, I found that even the extra strong version struggled with some particularly thick Tamiya decals on a recent build.

[Del640]

Vms decal set and softener is my go to.

[AlanG]

Tamiya decals are renowned for being rubbish. Which is baffling considering the price they charge for kits.

[Dave Ward]

If I have any difficult decals, I turn to Humbrol DecalFix - a single bottle product, but it is a bit fierce, and has to be used carefully! For others I use Mig Ammo Ultra Decal Set & Fix - it must be OK, because I don't seem to have any difficulties & don't really notice it!
Dave

[langy71]

I keep meaning to have a go at making my own with white vinegar, I saw it somewhere on the tube of you, and always thought it would save a few pounds here and there..

[flyjoe180]

Hi Karl, adding to Dave's comment, I use Humbrol Decalfix and it is rather aggressive. I've yet to meet a stubborn decal that can resist the stuff. But use carefully, it can disintegrate thin decals.

[Tim Marlow]

I keep meaning to have a go at making my own with white vinegar, I saw it somewhere on the tube of you, and always thought it would save a few pounds here and there..

Good fun as an experiment Chris, but do you really use that much decal setting solution that this would save you money? Unless I knock it over, I find a bottle lasts at least a decade.

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Karl, adding to Dave's comment, I use Humbrol Decalfix and it is rather aggressive. I've yet to meet a stubborn decal that can resist the stuff. But use carefully, it can disintegrate thin decals.

Might have to invest in some of this for my next Tamiya build….their decals are like vinyl sticker. Funnily enough, Humbrol are part of the same stable as Airfix, and I find Airfix are among the best decals out there, and wouldn’t need anything that aggressive……

[Mini Me]

........or longer if you work in a small scale

[dalej2014]

An alternative solution (pun intended), if a bit of a chore. Could you scan and print the decals onto a new decal paper sheet? Only really practical if you have a PC/laptop, scanner and printer, and the know how to do so, but it's actually not that hard. Most scanners come with copy software, and the decal paper is available from Amazon etc. these days.
As an added bonus you'll soon build up a virtual decal bank.
Anyway, good luck with those pesky stickers. They're a bit of a bugbear of mine too.