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The Tamiya decals are terrible, thick and resistant to solutions. I have used Microsol, Mr Mark Setter (both old and Neo, the Neo is worse than the original if anything), the Mig one and others. The simple fact is that the company that produces the best kits money can buy cannot do decals!
It is not just about how resistant they are, the larger ones such as on 1/32 scale kits, often splinter apart (not as badly as Trumpeter!)
I now, for every Tamiya kit, look for aftermarket alternatives, masks for preference to paint the markings simply because they are both easier and more effective than decals. If no masks then I buy aftermarket decals.Comment
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Further to my previous post.
Tamiya producing the best plastic, cannot do decals but Airfix and Revell with 'so-so' plastic really do produce the best decals.
Zoukei Mura are pretty good as well, great plastic and great decals.
Hobbyboss and Trumpeter as already referenced, produce the worse decals of all in the sense of splintering as soon as you look at them, but at least some liquid decal film helps a bit but just don't apply it too thick.
ICM are good if you get them down but they have a tendency to curl.
HKM decals are OK with care.
Among aftermarket the best I have found are Kits World. That said, at least for the larger markings, its always better to use paint masks and paint them. The best masks for this are the Kabuki paper type:
Maketar offers a choice between vinyl and Kabuki, always pick Kabuki. They also provide a lot of excellent generic sets as well as kit specific. I generally buy from their own website as there is a much wider choice there than Hannants. They are difficult to find on Google but I think its against the rules to post a link here, so if anyone wants a link pm me. Incidentally, their circle, wheels and canopy generic sets are something every modeller should have in the drawer.
1 Man Army are the best around with their hi-def sets, they even produce the small aircraft stencilling (at least in 1/32)
Avoid, if possible, Montex as they are all vinyl but if these are the only choice then they are still preferable to decals.
There are several other companies producing these, including Kits World now starting to, but beware, Kits World are vinyl so avoid. Sad that, these are well produced and presented. The issue with vinyl is how they will lift on curves and the sharper the curve the bigger the problem.
I hope that helps. Masks take longer to do but they really are well worth using.Comment
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Has anyone tried Tamiya decal setting and softener solutions on Tamiya decals?Comment
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Now that's just crazy talk...........
I did find a review an the AMPS site, can't link as they all go to the home page, says that mark fit is really no better or worse than others out there. And does mention that Tamiya decals are pretty impervious to all decal solutions where as cartograph aren't. But the strong seems to work as he used Tamiya decals for his review.
Might grab both bottles then post my own findings.Comment
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Daco strong setting solution is my weapon of choice for stubborn decals.
It seems to do the trick quite nicely with thick decals.
Unfortunately it’s not readily available in the uk anymore and the cost of added overseas postage make it a bit to pricey for me
Geoff.Comment
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It's available through this site - https://www.modellingtools.co.uk/dec...tions-86-c.asp
Hope it helps.Comment
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The VMS decal solutions are very goodComment
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