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Professional decal accessories from Bare-Metal Foil, Microscale, Tamiya, and Vallejo. Clear and white decal film for inkjet and laser printers, setting solutions, softeners, and precision parallel stripes. Essential for custom decals, aftermarket applications, and professional finishing. Complement with paint accessories for complete model finishing capabilities.
Successful decal application transforms scale models from basic assemblies into authentic replicas, and professional decal accessories provide the essential materials and solutions that ensure perfect decal adhesion, conformity to complex surfaces, and long-term durability. This comprehensive collection features premium decal films, setting solutions, softeners, and precision stripes from Bare-Metal Foil, Microscale, Tamiya, Vallejo, Mr. Hobby, Testors, and Trumpeter. Whether you're creating custom decals with clear or white film for inkjet and laser printers, applying aftermarket decals with professional setting solutions, conforming decals to complex curved surfaces with softeners, or adding precision stripes and trim with Microscale parallel stripes, these accessories deliver the control and performance that separate amateur decal work from professional finishing showcasing proper techniques and attention to detail.
Bare-Metal Foil decal films enable creating custom decals using standard inkjet and laser printers, providing the flexibility to produce unique markings, replace damaged kit decals, or create completely original designs impossible to source commercially. The collection includes clear decal film for both inkjet and laser printers, allowing printed designs to show underlying paint colors through transparent backgrounds. White decal film provides opaque backgrounds enabling bright colors on dark surfaces without the transparency that causes color shifts on clear film. The films come in standard 8.5x11-inch and A4 sizes fitting common printers, with multi-packs providing economical quantities for multiple projects. The Expert's Choice Inkjet White represents Bare-Metal Foil's premium offering, with enhanced ink receptivity and superior adhesion. These films transform any computer and printer into custom decal production systems, enabling markings limited only by imagination and graphic design skills.
Microscale pioneered decal setting solutions that revolutionized scale modeling by enabling decals to conform to complex surfaces, adhere permanently, and integrate seamlessly with painted finishes. Micro Sol represents Microscale's flagship setting solution, softening decal film to conform around rivets, panel lines, and compound curves that would otherwise trap air and create silvering. The solution works by temporarily softening decal adhesive and film, allowing the decal to snuggle down into surface details before re-hardening for permanent adhesion. Liquid Set Solution provides alternative formulation for specific applications and surface types. The 1-ounce bottles provide sufficient solution for numerous decal applications, with the liquid applied using soft brushes after decal positioning. These solutions prove essential for achieving the painted-on appearance that characterizes professional decal work, eliminating the thick, raised appearance and silvering that betray amateur applications.
Tamiya Mark Fit solutions bring Japanese precision and quality to decal application, with standard Mark Fit for general applications and Mark Fit Strong for stubborn decals requiring aggressive softening. The standard formulation works excellently for most decals on relatively smooth surfaces, providing the softening needed for good adhesion without excessive aggression that might damage delicate decals. Mark Fit Strong delivers more powerful softening for thick decals, heavily varnished surfaces, or complex contours requiring maximum conformity. The 40ml bottles provide generous quantities with applicator brushes built into caps for convenient use. Tamiya's formulations balance effectiveness against safety, softening decals adequately without the excessive aggression that can dissolve thin decals or damage underlying paint. The solutions integrate perfectly with Tamiya's own decals while working excellently with aftermarket decals from any manufacturer.
Vallejo and Mr. Hobby extend their finishing product expertise to decal accessories with solutions addressing specific application challenges. Vallejo Decal Fix provides adhesion enhancement for decals on difficult surfaces, creating strong bonds that resist peeling and lifting. Vallejo Decal Softener delivers controlled softening for conforming decals to surface details without excessive aggression. The 18ml bottles provide concentrated formulations requiring minimal application. Mr. Hobby Mark Setter prepares surfaces for optimal decal adhesion, while Mr. Mark Softer provides controlled softening for conforming decals to complex surfaces. The 40ml bottles deliver generous quantities with the quality Mr. Hobby brings to all their products. These alternatives to Microscale and Tamiya solutions provide options for modelers preferring specific brands or seeking particular performance characteristics in their decal application workflow.
Microscale parallel stripes provide precision-cut decal stripes in various widths and colors, enabling authentic trim lines, racing stripes, and decorative details impossible to paint freehand with equivalent precision. The collection includes widths from ultra-fine 1/64-inch through substantial 1/2-inch, with colors spanning gold, silver, dulux gold, dark blue, dark green, maroon, and specialty finishes. These pre-cut stripes eliminate the masking, painting, and cleanup required for creating straight trim lines, while ensuring perfect uniformity impossible to achieve manually. The stripes work perfectly for automotive models requiring racing stripes and body side moldings, aircraft models needing cheat lines and trim, ship models demanding waterline stripes, and countless applications where straight, uniform lines enhance authenticity. The precision cutting and consistent width make Microscale stripes essential for modelers pursuing competition-level finishing where trim line quality directly impacts judging results.
Microscale trim films provide solid-color decal material for creating custom shapes, filling areas, and adding color accents without painting. The collection includes copper, dark dulux, dayglo green, olive drab, and Pullman green, addressing specific modeling needs from military vehicles to railroad equipment. These films can be cut to any shape using scissors, knives, or punches, creating custom decals for applications where commercial decals don't exist. The films also serve for color correction, covering incorrect kit markings, and adding details to models where painting would be impractical. The ability to create custom shapes from solid-color film expands decaling possibilities beyond pre-printed designs, enabling creative solutions to unique marking challenges. The films accept setting solutions like pre-printed decals, conforming to surfaces and integrating with painted finishes seamlessly.
Microscale Liquid Decal Film provides protective coating for decals, sealing them against handling damage, environmental exposure, and the clear coat application that completes finishing. Applied after decals have dried and set, the liquid film creates a protective barrier preventing decal damage during subsequent handling and finishing operations. The film also helps blend decal edges into surrounding paint, reducing the visible transition between decal and surface. For custom-printed decals, liquid decal film provides essential protection for ink that might otherwise smear or run when exposed to setting solutions or clear coats. The 1-ounce bottle provides sufficient material for protecting numerous decals, with application using soft brushes ensuring even coverage. This protective step proves especially valuable for competition models and museum-quality builds where decal preservation justifies the additional effort.
Successful decal application requires systematic techniques that ensure proper adhesion, eliminate silvering, and achieve the painted-on appearance characterizing professional work. Begin with clean, glossy surfaces, as decals adhere best to smooth, contamination-free paint. Apply decals to gloss coat even if final finish will be flat, as the smooth surface prevents silvering and allows setting solutions to work effectively. Position decals carefully using water and setting solution, sliding them into exact positions before allowing them to dry. Apply setting solution generously, allowing it to work without disturbing decals during the softening process. For complex surfaces, multiple setting solution applications may be necessary, with each application further conforming decals to surface details. After decals have fully dried and set, seal them with clear coat protecting against handling damage and blending edges into surrounding paint. These systematic techniques ensure consistent results across all decaling projects.
Creating custom decals using Bare-Metal Foil films requires understanding design principles, printer capabilities, and material characteristics that ensure successful results. Design decals using graphics software, creating artwork at actual size with consideration for printer resolution and color accuracy. Test print on paper first, verifying sizes, colors, and registration before committing to decal film. Use highest quality print settings, as decal printing demands maximum resolution and color saturation. Allow printed decals to dry thoroughly before handling, as wet ink smears easily on decal film. Consider whether clear or white film better serves your application, with clear film requiring opaque underlying paint and white film providing opaque backgrounds for any surface color. Seal printed decals with liquid decal film or clear coat before cutting and application, protecting ink from smearing during handling and application. These considerations ensure custom decals perform as well as commercial products while delivering the unique markings commercial sources cannot provide.
Understanding common decal problems and their solutions prevents the frustration of ruined decals and compromised finishes. Silvering—the cloudy appearance caused by trapped air under decals—results from applying decals to rough or flat surfaces, and prevents through using gloss coat base and adequate setting solution. Decal tearing during application indicates excessive setting solution aggression or decal age, requiring gentler solutions or careful handling. Decals not conforming to surface details suggest insufficient setting solution or premature disturbance during softening, requiring additional solution applications and patience. Color shifting on clear decals over dark paint indicates need for white decal film providing opaque background. Decals peeling after application suggest inadequate surface preparation or insufficient adhesion, requiring better cleaning and possibly adhesion-enhancing solutions. Understanding these problems and solutions enables recovering from mistakes and preventing issues through proper technique.
Proper decal storage preserves both kit-supplied and aftermarket decals, preventing the deterioration that makes old decals unusable. Store decals in cool, dry locations away from direct sunlight and temperature extremes that accelerate adhesive degradation. Keep decals in sealed plastic bags or containers preventing moisture exposure that can cause decals to stick to backing paper. Avoid folding or creasing decal sheets, as damage to carrier film often proves irreparable. For valuable aftermarket decals, consider storing in archival-quality sleeves providing maximum protection. Decal film and solutions also require proper storage, with films kept sealed until use and solutions stored upright with caps tightly closed preventing evaporation. These storage practices ensure decals and accessories remain usable for years, protecting investments in aftermarket decals and custom-printed materials.
Decal accessories work alongside paint accessories, clear coats, and weathering products creating comprehensive finishing systems delivering professional results. Apply decals over gloss coat base providing smooth surfaces for optimal adhesion and minimal silvering. Use setting solutions conforming decals to surface details and ensuring permanent adhesion. Seal finished decals with clear coat protecting against handling damage and blending edges into surrounding paint. Apply weathering over sealed decals, integrating markings into overall finish rather than leaving them appearing freshly applied. This systematic approach ensures every finishing step supports others, creating cohesive results where decals integrate seamlessly with painted surfaces, weathering, and final protective coatings. Complement your decal work with precision tools for complete finishing capabilities.
Bare-Metal Foil pioneered custom decal film technology enabling modelers to create unique markings using standard printers. Microscale Industries revolutionized decal application with setting solutions that remain industry standards decades after introduction. Tamiya applies legendary Japanese quality to decal solutions balancing effectiveness with safety. Vallejo extends their finishing expertise to specialized decal solutions. Mr. Hobby delivers comprehensive decal accessories integrating with their broader product ecosystem. These manufacturers understand modelers' requirements for products delivering consistent performance, clear instructions, and formulations that work reliably across different decal types, paint systems, and application conditions.