Decal Discoloring?

[Arob]

All,

I am painting a number of DRGW units and having some difficulty.  After painting the long chassie of the engine gloss black and then applying the large "DRGW" decale and Solveset, a milky discoloring appears around the sides of the decale after the whole piece has dried and setting solution has evaporated. 

On the first round, my paint mix was Tamiya 50/50 that I let cure for a day and straight Solveaset per directs on bottle. The result was the milky residew that will not wipe off with water.  So I stripped everythig at that point.

On the second round, I thought that my paint was too hot so I only thinned it 70/30 but let it cure for 3 days. As well I thinned my Solveaset 50/50 with water and applied per directions.  Same results.

So now I am perplexed...  I have tried to remove this residew with water, alcohol, and windshield wiper fluid with no positive results.  I am stripping everthing a second time and waiting for more DRGW decale from Microscale before proceeding.  The really crazy thing is all the cabs I painted and decaled using the original paint mix from the first round and straight Solveaset with no issues at all????

I am hoping that David S., Tom M., N-scale Steve or anyone other seasoned painters could prvide some insights on what I am experienceing or where my I may be creating this issue.  If needed, I can upload some pics of the Cabs and chassies if helpful?

Thanks for any feedback in advance!!!

Arob

[Erik W]

All,

I am painting a number of DRGW units and having some difficulty.  After painting the long chassie of the engine gloss black and then applying the large "DRGW" decale and Solveset, a milky discoloring appears around the sides of the decale after the whole piece has dried and setting solution has evaporated. 

On the first round, my paint mix was Tamiya 50/50 that I let cure for a day and straight Solveaset per directs on bottle. The result was the milky residew that will not wipe off with water.  So I stripped everythig at that point.

On the second round, I thought that my paint was too hot so I only thinned it 70/30 but let it cure for 3 days. As well I thinned my Solveaset 50/50 with water and applied per directions.  Same results.

So now I am perplexed...  I have tried to remove this residew with water, alcohol, and windshield wiper fluid with no positive results.  I am stripping everthing a second time and waiting for more DRGW decale from Microscale before proceeding.  The really crazy thing is all the cabs I painted and decaled using the original paint mix from the first round and straight Solveaset with no issues at all????

I am hoping that David S., Tom M., N-scale Steve or anyone other seasoned painters could prvide some insights on what I am experienceing or where my I may be creating this issue.  If needed, I can upload some pics of the Cabs and chassies if helpful?

Thanks for any feedback in advance!!!

Arob

Arob,

You might try using Micro-set and Micro-sol rather than Solvaset.  I've had some light white residue on occasion (not sure why either).  I always wipe the decal area down with warm water and a Q-tip once the decals have set for 24 hours.  I have noticed that the mild white residue I have seen before (not to be confused with a decals that has not set properly) has gone away when I applied the clear coat after I'm done decaling.  You should paint, gloss coat, decal and dull coat a styrene sample to see if the final clear coat makes the whitening disappear.

On second thought, I just reread your post and think the Tamiya paint might be the issue.  I painted an armor model with a really dark drab green from Tamiya and had the same issue when I decaled the model.  You could always try Polly Scale black.

I'd say your plan of attack should be do a test sample like I mentioned.  If that doesn’t clear the problem up try a different brand black or a different brand setting solution.  I really don't think it's the decals themselves, though I guess it could be.

Erik

[Arob]

Erik,
 
What is your preference for clear coat?  Do air brush your clear coat, brush it on, or other method???

Thanks for you feedback.  I had thought the same about the Tamiya paint and aleady picked up a bottle of Polly Scale.

-Arob

[tom mann]

I've never had a problem with PollyScale and Microset/sol.

[Erik W]

Erik,
 
What is your preference for clear coat?  Do air brush your clear coat, brush it on, or other method???

Thanks for you feedback.  I had thought the same about the Tamiya paint and already picked up a bottle of Polly Scale.

-Arob

Arob,

I airbrush the clear coat.  I use Polly Scale Flat Finish.  Like Tom said I haven't had any problems with Polly Scale and Micro Set/Sol.   I bet the Solvaset works fine though when you use the Polly Scale paint.  Let us know what happens with this.

Erik

[Arob]

I be that you are both right that the combination of Tamiya and Solveset may be the issue.  I am not sure why this issue did not present itself when shot the cabs and decaled, but the issue presents it's self now and I have to work around it. 

Thanks for your feed back from both of you.  I will post some pics shortly.

-Arob