Decaling:
SP AC-9.
Using microscale decal sheet 87-75 SP steam locos- heavy. These are very nice decals, thin and able to conform to rivets, etc. They also give an instructional sheet with pictures and engine classes and numbers that the engine has.
When putting the decal on the side of the tender, the rivets are pretty pronounced but, using a folded tissue, I can press down on the decal and they conform to the rivets so no bubbles are under the decal. Some solvaset and soft brush finished the job. The solvaset works quickly to soften the decal so, one can't be 'playing around' with the decal, once the solvaset has been applied.
Regular water in a bowl is used to free the decal from the backing paper. The water needs to seep into the backing paper enough to easily remove the decal without the decal still sticking to the paper. Also, best to remove the decal from the water before the decal separates from the backing paper so the glue on the back side doesn't wash off (I'm assuming there is glue on the backside, but possibly, not). Even if no glue is present, it's a lot easier to slide the decal onto the surface from the backing paper, as the decal may 'fold' on itself.
With white lettering on a lite colored backing paper, I needed my magnifying glass to see the small nomenclature that goes under the numbers on the side of the cab.
The final coat of scalecoat satin clear was applied to seal the decals and extra protection to the paint. A final 2 hrs at 200 degrees in the toaster oven so next is electrical and assembly.
ps: there is cab detail but, without the cab being removable, there's no way to hand paint gauges, valves, etc.
