Vinegar And Water-Decal Setting Solution

[69NovaYenko]

I was casually chatting with some of the folks at my LHS the other day when one of the guys stated the he used vinegar to set his decals instead of wasting his money on the "proper" stuff.  He says he mixes 2-3 caps of the white vinegar into the small container that holds his warm decal soaking water. He then soaks the decals until they come off (1 to 2 minutes on average) their paper backing. According to him the vinegar/water solution softens the decals enough to make them conform to body curves etc. as well as snugly adhere to the cars surface. He also says the vinegar and water solution works well with both inkjet and laser printed decals.

Is anyone familiar with this method.
 

[Stuntman Mike]

Haven't used this method yet, but I've heard about it, too. I read it either in a kit instruction or in an old Revell booklet that shows how to customize models. It's probably one of those early days techniques that have gotten lost in the ever growing universe of modeling supplies. It's most definately worth a try. 

[Erik Smith]

Micro Set smells a lot like vinegar - I don't know the formula, but...

The commercially available decal setting solutions aren't really that expensive unless you are doing tons of decals - I've had the same two little bottles for 5 years or more, and they're 80% full.  I don't do race cars or anything that require large decals. 

Be easy to try it out - plenty of old decals laying around and I am sure I could dig some vinegar out of the pantry!

[fseva]

I was casually chatting with some of the folks at my LHS the other day when one of the guys stated the he used vinegar to set his decals instead of wasting his money on the "proper" stuff.  He says he mixes 2-3 caps of the white vinegar into the small container that holds his warm decal soaking water. He then soaks the decals until they come off (1 to 2 minutes on average) their paper backing. According to him the vinegar/water solution softens the decals enough to make them conform to body curves etc. as well as snugly adhere to the cars surface. He also says the vinegar and water solution works well with both inkjet and laser printed decals.

Is anyone familiar with this method.
 

Not with the method, but I have always thought it could be done because MicroSet smells like vinegar!

[Dave Van]

Thanks but Walthers has been making Solvaset since the 1930's and it works 100% of the time I use it. $4 and lasts me years.......heard the vinager thing.....but as a decal manufacture.......stick with what works. 

[fseva]

Thanks but Walthers has been making Solvaset since the 1930's and it works 100% of the time I use it. $4 and lasts me years.......heard the vinager thing.....but as a decal manufacture.......stick with what works. 

You manufacture decals?

[Dave Van]

You manufacture decals?

I co-owned DNL Hobbies from 1984 until I parted ways with my partner in 1995.  I have a line now for info contact me offline.

I made my first decals when I was about 10 years old by hand painting images on brown craft paper tape and painting shellac over them.....it works but is really crude!! 

Thx

[Foxer]

He then soaks the decals until they come off (1 to 2 minutes on average) their paper backing.
 

Really? .. does the vinegar slow everything to turtle speed?

[426-Hemi]

I'd be careful test on old stuff for sure.. BUT keep in mind, the decal setting solution is in fact "clear" meaning you'd be using regular vinegar, NOT Apple cider vinegar... (same but not the same) if that makes sense.

I used to use NOTHING BUT "Champion Decals" for YEARS 2 decades worth, have A LOT still and used their setting solution and let me tell you guys, that stuff, you apply DO NOT touch that decal you applied it too, its stuck where you touched it. and I tell you, NO TIME at all to adjust it, you best feel the decal is where you want it, right then and there!

I WISHED, the auto decals were the same as this, I'm really good at it, but, the auto decals we all use on our cars don't soften to the point, of becoming part of the painted surface as the Champion decals did!

[69NovaYenko]

Decals almost always need some manner of adjustment...I`ve never placed one on a car and it dead on exactly how I wanted it.I have found some decals react poorly  to some setting solutions. On occasions I have applied a very tiny, tiny drop of Future with the tip of a tooth pick to some decals to get them to stay put..and it also allows for some adjustment before setting.

Edited December 22, 2015 by 69NovaYenko

[69NovaYenko]

I placed my decals using water and a a couple of drops of dish washing liquid. Once I got them where I wanted I allowed them to dry , the next day I gently applied a wash of water and a couple of drops of white vinegar and they sucked down to the body quite nicely once dried. Thanks fo all the advise folks.