MAX decals (anyone have experience with them?)

[John Howling Mouse]

Got all ready to apply some of their 1:48 Lysander decals to my Buffalo for the "I Love Spats" GB and the decals were printed on such a thin film that they were unusable.  I bought them about a year and a half ago.  They're beautifully printed so I was really looking forward to using them but they surprised me by being so fragile I could not believe it.  Instantly wrinkled as I slid them into place and there was no way I could gently slide them about-----they simply tore right on the spot.

Don't get me wrong, I'm used to some pretty flimsy decals, too (i.e. home-made printed stuff I've done) but these were impossible.  I'm going to give them a coat of Microscale's decal film next time.  I looked through the decal stash and suddenly realized I've got quite a few of their aftermarket sheets so I'm hoping that adding my own decal film will render them usable.

I had used some MicroSet (not the Sol) to pre-wet the application area (I always do) as I've found that usually aids in being able to re-position any decals into place.  Was this a mistake for these decals? 

Anyone here use MAX decals?  If so, what were your own experiences?

[Nick]

That's about normal for Max Decals, I find. I have two of their Irish sheets and you have to treat them like extremely rare and fragile ancient artefacts because they will rip, break, shrink, wrinkle and disintegrate without the slightest provocation. 

So far I've not had them disintegrate like certain ESCI and Airfix markings did......

That said, when they work they work very well. I don't recall any problems with Micro Sol or Set when I did the Stingbat or the Skyhawk, but be patient while they set and dry.

Nick

[Radish]

I used them on my Irish Air Corps Mick-17 Mk5 Frisky and they were OK.
Thin, yes, but use plenty of water on a good gloss finish to soak them off and position on the model. When dry, seal really well with Kleer or a varnish.
Good luck.