Brittle Decals

Thanks very much, I will contact Tamiya and have another go.

I've used many decals that are 20+ years old, very few have ever cracked. I always use a decal softener (Micro sol and set) and if that doesn't work then I try Mr Decal Softener which I've found to be quite ferocious on some decals. When a decal has to conform to complex curves I flood the decal with softener, leave it for a few minutes then apply heat from a hair drier and smooth with the fine bush I apply the softener with. Occassionally I will also use my finger tip to assist in getting it to conform (it has to be wet though with softener). So pressure and heat usually ensures the decal conforms without any breaking. It may take 15 - 20 inutes to do one decal at times as you need to take things slowly.

The only other suggestion is try another decal softener, maybe the Humbrol decal fix isn't strong enough for the Tamiya decals, I have found on odd occassions that the Micro products aren't strong enough, maybe the ink thickness on the Tamiya decals is thicker on occassions?

The liquid decal film suggested above is excellent and worth a try as well.

HEY,
I have also never had a problem with the tamiya decals, but it happens. Might have just been a bad batch.

Randy

Strange, I never had any problems with the Taniya decals on over 40+ Kits and some were way older than that kit.

Maybe the kit was stored badly and it caused it.

Try contactingTamiya, if you don't get any joy from them you can always look for AM decals.
Museum Collection makes some and I think that there might be more like Studio 27, Platz, etc.

It could be the age of the decals, and it could be that they were bad to begin with.

I'd try contacting Tamiya -- if the decals were bad when they left the factory, they may offer a replacement set through their customer service department. (They usually sell replacement sets, too.)

Failing that, you might coat the decal sheet with Microscale Liquid Decal Film. You brush the clear liquid over the decal sheet, and it acts as a new skin, strengthening the decals and preventing them from cracking as you apply them. Well-stocked hobby shops should carry this.

I hope this helps!

Matthew Usher @ FineScale Modeler