Monday 28 October 2013

Micro Set and Micro Sol: Better Transfer application

Well. When I asked Mathew Kane "How do you get your Transfers so perfect?" I had no idea it would be something so utterly awesome that I would go as far as saying; No Marine painter should be without this product. 


So putting Space Marine Pauldron transfers on is a massive dick head. I have always hated getting to this point on the model. You always run the risk of it not wrapping right and it leaving that weird halo around it which just cheapens the awesome paint scheme you have spent hours doing. 

Well this stuff is just fugging amazing. It softens and helps wrap the transfer round the model and eliminates the halo almost completely. 

I will add to this post to show how it works shortly. 

Additional. 

Firstly I cut the transfer out using a scalpel and go all tightly round the edge of the decal so to not have too much halo effect. 

Secondly I throw tightly trimmed transfer in water. 

Thirdly, whilst letting the transfer become slidable, I get a fine brush and dip it in the Micro Set and run it over the shoulder pad where the transfer will go. 

Fourthly I take the waterslide transfer from the water and carefully remove the excess water from the bottom of the blue paper surface on the back of my hand, then slide the transfer straight onto the pad. 

Fifthly I swiftly position the transfer where I want it and add more Micro Set to where I want it to settle, and around the edges and under the places where it creases up. Just a small tip more though mind you. 

Sixthly I leave the transfer and solution to dry / set for 2 minutes before getting a small blister pack sponge piece (wet with water so not to stick to sponge) and carefully push down on and help it adhere down. 

Seventhly I then put a fine brush full of Micro Sol onto the transfer and around the edges (when the Micro Set is dry) and let it do its stuff. I put a lot on then step back and leave it for a few hours. It softens the transfer and eventually allows you to push raised creases down or if you add more and more after it dries then it will keep smoothing itself out. 

It's worked for me very well, and believe me it takes only a minor amount of time more when you get a squad on a conveyor belt. 

Drake Seta

12 comments:

  1. Thanks very much for the hobby tip. I've never applied transfers to pauldrons before, but I've got plenty to do when I get to that point.

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    1. It's so damn good. The Micro Sol is also designed to to take transfers off if you aren't happy with where you put it! I'm more impressed with this stuff than I am with my baby nephew!

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    2. Lol. Does it have a shelf life?

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    3. The Baby; with modern science and health care in the uk hmmm circa 90 years. Micro sol and micro set doesn't seem to. I think as they are big bottles, and smell faintly of vinegar (and the fact there was no inner seal to pull off) I would say no.

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  2. I've used this and it never seems to be as clear as others show it working.

    Maybe FW sent me a shit print any thoughts?

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    Replies
    1. Well I will tell you what I do then you can let me know if you do the same.

      Firstly I cut the transfer out using a scalpel and go all tightly round the edge of the decal so to not have too much halo effect.

      Secondly I throw tightly trimmed transfer in water.

      Thirdly, whilst letting the transfer become slidable, I get a fine brush and dip it in the Micro Set and run it over the shoulder pad where the transfer will go.

      Fourthly I take the waterslide transfer from the water and carefully remove the excess water from the bottom of the blue paper surface on the back of my hand, then slide the transfer straight onto the pad.

      Fifthly I swiftly position the transfer where I want it and add more Micro Set to where I want it to settle, and around the edges and under the places where it creases up. Just a small tip more though mind you.

      Sixthly I leave the transfer and solution to dry / set for 2 minutes before getting a small blister pack sponge piece (wet with water so not to stick to sponge) and carefully push down on and help it adhere down.

      Seventhly I then put a fine brush full of Micro Sol onto the transfer and around the edges (when the Micro Set is dry) and let it do its stuff. I put a lot on then step back and leave it for a few hours. It softens the transfer and eventually allows you to push raised creases down or if you add more and more after it dries then it will keep smoothing itself out.

      It's worked for me very well, and believe me it takes only a minor amount of time more when you get a squad on a conveyor belt.

      Delete
  3. Ok good tips, But you missed a few. FW decals are laser printed and the carrier film is thicker. In normal decal application you apply a gloss coat. For FW I use the testors decal sealer spray as it is meant to seal these type of decals. Then apply another coat after the decal is dry AND using the Micro Sol/Set as well then a dull coat. Btw I usually do pads in a batch and off the model.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the advice. I will give it a shot too.

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  4. I do all that except the sponge I use cotton buds instead :D

    I think it may just be a bad decal sheet.

    Because of you guys you've made me want to start a blog regarding everything heresy ;)

    One day I hope my XIVth company of WE gets to go against you guys

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  5. Cotton buds hey. Will try that next.

    Good on you chief. Let me know when it's up

    We will be trying to get to the Warhammer World; Massacre tournament when it gets announced. Might see u there :)

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  6. First published intro

    http://thesiegeofterra.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/terra-will-fall.html?m=1

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    Replies
    1. Very nice. I will keep my eye on it. Love the story.

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