Applying decals to the model is one of the most enjoyable yet challenging steps in any modeling project. It's enjoyable because your model really starts to take on a finished look. It's challenging because it's also a very easy step to mess up! One product I have found very useful when working with "water-slide" decals is "SolvaSet" (pictured above). After placeing the decal on the model and dabbing off the excess water, let it dry. Then very gently brush on 1 coat of SolvaSet and let it dry completely. Keep applying the SolvaSet in this manner (3 or 4 coats at most) and your decal will eventually "settle" onto the surface of your model such that the edges will barely be visible. SolvaSet actually melts the decal and causes it to get very soft which allows it to flatten out and settle in around any surface imperfections or uneveness in the paint surface. However, be careful not to apply too much at one time or you'll melt the decal to the point where it will start distorting or even come off the model all together.
The main issue I had with these decals was that they were the original decals which means they were over 30 years old! A few of the decals broke apart while I was trying to get them in position on the model and had to be pieced back together. Fortunately nothing broke apart so badly that it couldn't be positioned. Here's another area where the SolvaSet is your friend. It will literally melt them back together on the model so won't see the cracks where they split apart.
One design issue I had was that the decal pictured above does not actually fit between the dowel and the panel piece unless you trim the decal right up to the line. Of course I didn't realize this until the decal was already off of it's backing and I was trying to get it placed on the model. After a several tedious minutes with a single edge razor blade I was finally able to get it down. Of course I trimmed the other side correctly and had no problems with that one.
Another issue I had was that the two yellow windows (next to the single black window) in the above picture broke off sometime after they dried and before I got the SolvaSet on them and I had to canabalize another decal sheet with some yellow striping to make two replacement windows. Hopefully the color is a close enough match so that it's not noticable. This is a good example why you NEVER THROW AWAY EXTRA PARTS OR DECALS. You never know when you might need to fabricate something for a repair or replacement. KEEP EVERTHING!
Lastly, these little guys are "mystery decals". I could find no information in the instructions, any of the pictures of the finished model, nor any of the decal diagrams that described where they go. So if anyone out there happens to know where on the model they go, please leave a comment.
Well, other than clear coating the model and installing the recovery system (which I'll skip for this blog) this about completes our model. The very last thing I'll show for this project is how I put together an inexpensive but nice looking display stand. I'll also throw up some pictures of the completed U.S.S Atlantis.
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