Which is hotter: Solvaset or MicroSol?

I've always used Microsol, but I noticed that the local RR shop has Solvaset as well. I seem to remember hearing that Solvaset is hotter, that it will work on decals that son't seem to respond to Micro-Sol wery well......

And how does the Testo's brand of setting colution compare?

Champ's definitely smelled of onions. I think you have to order it straight from them now but back in the '60s I found some in a small shop. It was my first setting solution.

I've only used Solvaset, Champ's and Microsol so I can't comment on
Testors. Microsol just doesn't have the power that Solvaset has and I haven't bothered to buy a new bottle since the old one was used up. I do dilute the Solvaset if I have doubts about the decal but I've found few problems. Don't try it on most Monogram sheets. Nothing works on them.

Solvaset is definitely hot. I've had good luck with it on all decals except the ones that come in Heller kits. If not diluted it causes them to shrivel up badly.

Actually, guys, *all* solvents work with *some* decals and *don't* work with others. Some appear to be organic solvent-based (Solvaset)
and others are acetic acid-based (Testors). While I can't remember which is which off the top of my head, a few years back, Scale Auto
Enthusiast did an article testing about 6-8 different solvents on different manufacturers' decals.

The results were set up in a fairly easy-to-read table that told you, depending on whose decals you were using, which solvents were effective with them. Most of the solvents wouldn't work on at least
50% of the decals tested, but two were standouts: Testors and
Solvaset. Their formulae are so different that *every* decal on which
Testors solvent wouldn't work was set by Solvaset - and vice versa!
Therefore, with only these two, you could cover every decal on the (car model) market. As a certified Cheap Bastard (TM), guess which two were on *my* bench - with a copy that table hanging above it.

Decal setting solutions (Micro Set, for example) are mainly acetic acid.
SolvaSet, however, is a decal solvent (like Micro Sol). Different chemical altogether -- I think a lot of alcohol, but I could be wrong.

Also, just to toss in my 2 cents, the original question asked if SolvaSet is better than Micro Sol. I personally find Micro Sol hot enough for 95% of my decaling needs. I save SolvaSet for the occasional stubborn ones.

Pip Moss
I used to feel cheap 'cause I had no signature.