Unsung heros of modeling

[BCR751]

 Are you using Microscale decals?   

My Micro-Sol (red label) "smell test" seems to  indicate it is alcohol-based (alcohol might evaporate if not tightly capped).  But that is the stronger solution. You might want to try it.   That is what I using.

I'm also puzzled by your statement about adhesion.   

Are you using.....   Yes

I'm also puzzled.......   Poor choice of words.  I meant that the decal doesn't conform to the undulations and bumps in the model after applying the Micro Sol.  I'll try and do better next time   

I will do the smell test on my bottle.

Doug

[chesapeake490]

now that i'm getting older my hero is the optivisor

I have found that Plast-I-Weld is a great replacement for tenax

[GhengisKong]

What replaces Floqual DioSol ?

I have found that 50% toulene and 50% xylene works as a suitable DioSol replacement. Be careful as it nasty stuff to breathe in.

[nkalanaga]

I've never tried the MicroScale setting solutions, still using Solvaset.  A bottle lasts a long time, at the rate I use it, and I have a couple unopened ones.  If I ever run out of it I'll have to relearn decal application.

I didn't see anyone mention Dullcote, so I'll toss that one in as well.

I'll agree with Dave Vollmer on Evergreen styrene.

As for Pro-Weld, I bought a bottle in 2008, and it worked beautifully on the old Atlas-Kato RS-3 shells I was trying to glue.  When it ran out, I went back to the same shop, and they didn't have any.  After they tried to order it, for several months, with only "backordered" responses, we found it was no longer available.  I usually use Testors for styrene, but would love to have another bottle of the Pro-Weld.

[peteski]

I've never tried the MicroScale setting solutions, still using Solvaset.  A bottle lasts a long time, at the rate I use it, and I have a couple unopened ones.  If I ever run out of it I'll have to relearn decal application.

I didn't see anyone mention Dullcote, so I'll toss that one in as well.

I'll agree with Dave Vollmer on Evergreen styrene.

As for Pro-Weld, I bought a bottle in 2008, and it worked beautifully on the old Atlas-Kato RS-3 shells I was trying to glue.  When it ran out, I went back to the same shop, and they didn't have any.  After they tried to order it, for several months, with only "backordered" responses, we found it was no longer available.  I usually use Testors for styrene, but would love to have another bottle of the Pro-Weld.

In my post I provided  information on Pro-Weld-like cements - they are out there and easily obtainable.

As for Solvaset, it has a smell similar to Microscale Micro-Sol.  So, that would be a viable alternative.

[up1950s]

I have found that 50% toulene and 50% xylene works as a suitable DioSol replacement. Be careful as it nasty stuff to breathe in.

Thank you , now I have a absolute target to get . HD has the xlylene . I need to do some more searching on line for that toluene . No guessing if it will be ok , thank you thank you .

[peteski]

I have found that 50% toulene and 50% xylene works as a suitable DioSol replacement. Be careful as it nasty stuff to breathe in.

Be careful. That sounds like the original (not plastic-safe) Floquil Dio-sol.  This thread might be where you found this info. Bot of those chemicals will attack (soften) styrene.

I still have a can  of the original lDio-sol and it states: CONTAINS: XYLOL, TOLUENE AND AROMATIC HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS.
So, even the old Dio-sol had other indgredients besides the ones you've mentioned.
No MSDS seems to be available (since Dio-sol has been gone for several years.

I've done some more research and found someone quoting a MSDS for Diosol in this thread as:

"According to the MSDS dated 2/9/2005, Dio-Sol consists of:
VM&P Naptha 40-45%
Xylol (Xylene) 5-10%
Ethyl Benzene 1-5%
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Solvent 5-10%
Light Aromatic Hydrocarbon 40-45%"

Naphtha is a much milder solvent, so I suspect that this version of Dio-sol is the Rev.1 (plastic safe) formula.  If the home-brewed Dio-sol is to be used on plastic models, I would try to emulate that mixture.

I also own a can of the Rev. 1 Dio-sol, but the label only states CONTAINS: PETROLEUM DISTILLATES. I was also unable to MSDS quoted above (again, probably since the product has been discontinued for several years).

I also found some very interesting info in this thread.  It confirms that the mixture you mentioned is the old "hot" formula.

[up1950s]

Be careful. That sounds like the original (not plastic-safe) Floquil Dio-sol.  This thread might be where you found this info. Bot of those chemicals will attack (soften) styrene.

I still have a can  of the original lDio-sol and it states: CONTAINS: XYLOL, TOLUENE AND AROMATIC HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS.
So, even the old Dio-sol had other indgredients besides the ones you've mentioned.
No MSDS seems to be available (since Dio-sol has been gone for several years.

I've done some more research and found someone quoting a MSDS for Diosol in this thread as:

"According to the MSDS dated 2/9/2005, Dio-Sol consists of:
VM&P Naptha 40-45%
Xylol (Xylene) 5-10%
Ethyl Benzene 1-5%
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Solvent 5-10%
Light Aromatic Hydrocarbon 40-45%"

Naphtha is a much milder solvent, so I suspect that this version of Dio-sol is the Rev.1 (plastic safe) formula.  If the home-brewed Dio-sol is to be used on plastic models, I would try to emulate that mixture.

I also own a can of the Rev. 1 Dio-sol, but the label only states CONTAINS: PETROLEUM DISTILLATES. I was also unable to MSDS quoted above (again, probably since the product has been discontinued for several years).

I also found some very interesting info in this thread.  It confirms that the mixture you mentioned is the old "hot" formula.

Thanks , what a wealth of info . Tried getting a source for the Tol on LI , no luck . In AZ they wanted 50 bucks S&H for 2 pints , geez . Learned that this was is used as an octane booster with hot rodders , and idiots used to huff this Tol . Sherman Williams got into a lawsuit with Tol and Xyl being mentioned , something to do with EPA . This just got complicated again . Now I am going to bed pissed off !

[John]

Speaking of Micro Sol, I was applying some decals the other day and the Micro Sol just didn't seem to be working.  I had to apply it numerous times to get even a hint of adhesion.  Thinking this was a bit weird, I called MicroScale and asked if this stuff has a shelf life.  Sure enough 1 - 1.5 years, 2 at most.  Mine is about 10 years old .  I guess I'd better order another bottle.

Doug

isnt this just vinegar?

[thomasjmdavis]

I have used white vinegar with distilled water (I started doing this when I was 10 or so working on model airplanes- as I recall, it was in the instructions for one of the kits, and worked so well I just did it that way for the next 30 years until buying a bottle of Solvaset).  I just mix it until I get about the same level of vinegar smell as the microset. My best guess from the sniff test is that the Microset may have a drop or two of something else in it.  I took to doing this again, because for some reason I cannot explain, I seem to knock over Microset bottles regularly when open, but never knock over Microsol bottles.  I think I am not the only one, as it seems when I go to the hobby shop, they have microsol in stock, but not microset.

I think how well Microsol works has a lot to do with the top coat on decals.  Some of the clear coats out there are an acrylic that is very "stiff" when dried, and if it is thick, you are essentially trying to soften .002 clear acrylic sheet.

[thomasjmdavis]

On the original question, what I miss, albeit indirectly, are the ALM core kits.  These being unavailable has had a big negative impact on the manufacturers of passenger car sides.  I have enough spare parts that the roof=floor-end sprue that remains available from San Juan car will get me by, but to someone new to this aspect of the hobby, the lack of core kits is a major obstacle.  It has clearly caused a decline in interest in building passenger cars.

An indication is that Brass Car Sides is currently selling N scale sides at over 50% off list- so if you do want some, now is the time to get a few.

PS- my affiliation with Brass Car Sides is limited to helping get the project for L&N rebuilt coaches off the ground- essentially, I just ordered a bunch and loaned him a MT car for reference.  Other than that, I am a satisfied customer.

[MK]

Tenax 7.  Yes, it's been gone for a while from the scene but word is they are bringing it back.  As a matter of fact I bought a brand new bottle from a vendor at Amherst.  Supposedly some king of divorce issue that stopped the company temporarily.

[u18b]

Ambroid pro weld. I'm nearing the end of my stash only to find that it's been gone for some time.

I still have a half a bottle from when we were at a hobby shop years ago and found some.

You can have it...... but you'll have to come visit your old Dad to get it.   

[Roger Holmes]

now that i'm getting older my hero is the optivisor

I already am old and have an Optivisor upstairs in my shop and downstairs in the basement layout room--I couldn't model without them.

[nuno81291]

My unsung hero must be my Honeywell hepa air filter and the Hoover wind tunnel dyson knock off... both there for me and the mess that follows.... and contractor bags for disposing aborted layouts and detritus