SPA Modeler

Hi all,

as most of you might be aware of, Eduard has started with a new type of decals that has a special carrier film.

There has been some hot discussions on internet regarding these new decal types. Starting with the fact that Eduard has not yet "officially" or formally informed anything about them (for example instructions how to use them correctly) or if the carrier film should be left or not. And not only that, but how easy or difficult or even impossible it is to get rid of the carrier film. Many different stories here and experiences.

Also, discussions regarding any decal setting solution, such as should it be put on top of the decal or under the decal or on both sides etc.

As I used this new type of decal on my Zero build (on the instrument panel), with great success and satisfaction, I cannot complain. But I thougt to make a very simple test to check how the decal setting solution might impact or not, the removal of the carrier film.

I use Tamiyas regular Mark Fit as the decal setting solution and 3 different alternatives:

a) DSS only under the decal
b) DSS only on top of the decal (as I did with the instrument panel decals)
c) no decal setting solution at all

And as said, the purpose of this simple experiment, is just to see if there is any difference regarding these 3 different alternatives. Of course, a fourth could have been added, decal setting solution under and on top.

As interesting note, the decal comes almost instantly off the backing paper when put in warm water, I mean almost instantly.





Now we just need patiently to wait a few hours to see what happens with the carrier film

- Kari

Interesting experiment.

Just curious, but is Eduard making these decals themselves, or are they contracted out to somebody like Cartograph or Microscale?

That's a good question. On the decal ark just written "Made in Czech Republic" and then Eduards logo. Nothing on the box or on the instruction sheet regarding the decals.. Could be, that these are Eduards own ?

- Kari

It sounds that way. If they are farmed out to another company for manufacturing, there is usually a prominent logo of that company on the sheet somewhere.

Well if they're made in the Czech Republic then they're not Cartograph. It'll be interesting to see how your test goes.

Ok, first test made with mixed thoughts regarding the result.

a) Decal setting solution on top of the decal:
First I was not even able grab the carrier film at all, even if it was visible. I tried with a very sharp scalpel knife, eventually scratching the surface pretty hard, forcing to get a grip of the carrier film and finally pull it off in one nice piece. But with the cost of destroyed paint and surface.


In the picture you can see the deep scratches caused by the scalpel, so based on this not a good idea to put decal setting solution on top of the decal. The leftover / shadow of the carrier film that is clearly visible in the picture could be rubbed easily off.



b) Decal setting solution under the decal:
To remove the carrier film was easier, I was able to grab the border of the carrier film by gently using my nail. But when I pulled off the carrier film it pulled as well a small piece of the decal! Which of course is not what should happen.




c) No decal setting solution:
As with decal a), I had some trouble to get a grab of the carrier film. I succeeded, but destroyed slightly the paint surface. On top of that, half of the decal broke and came off together with the carrier film.



Conclusion is, that I am not really convinced of both the new decals or the test. I will re-do the test, using other, milder decal setting solution and also add an option d) DSS on both sides. Will do the test on other surface, not on metallic color as in this current test.
Also, I will leave the decals untouched for 24 hrs, now I waited only 4 hrs, which probably was too short time for the decals to settle well on the surface.

I hope I can get better and more convincing results.
One thing for sure, they aren't fool proof.

- Kari

Wait… are these supposed to be like dry transfers, where you pull the film up away? But have to get them wet first rather than burnish the marking down on to the surface?

This is a very interesting test, will look forward to more of your testing.

Stikpusher wrote:Wait… are these supposed to be like dry transfers, where you pull the film up away? But have to get them wet first rather than burnish the marking down on to the surface?

My thoughts exactly.

Stikpusher wrote:Wait… are these supposed to be like dry transfers, where you pull the film up away? But have to get them wet first rather than burnish the marking down on to the surface?

BlackSheep214 wrote: My thoughts exactly.

Exactly, sort of like dry transfers but needs to be wet to get rid of the support paper behind.
And when it gets wet, it comes off almost instantly of the paper.
Perhaps they need to be rubbed harder into place ? But I will still test them.
At this moment not too enthusiastic to use the decals on the build, before I master them...


- Kari