Old Decals

As a person whose saved decals or printed new ones and saved hundreds of pounds over the years. Just do as they say above.

B-36Andy

I hope this is the right forum to post as I need input from "out of the box" thinkers and scratchbuilders are good at that!

I have some old Monogram decals that will crumble in water so I coated them with Microscale decal restorer. They hold together now but do not stick to the smooth surface and try to roll up on the edges while setting. I am using Decal Set and tried Micro Sol. Even tried putting them on with Future.

Any thoughts on this?

Andy

 

Hi Andy.

I'm a model car builder and when I come across old un-useable decals that are still intact, I do like you did coating them, but I keep them as a master to file away, instead of trying to use them. Next, I get out my decal paper, either clear or white depending on the project and I make a copy in my copier using the master that I saved, wait an hour for the ink to dry, and then clear coat, then wait a day for them to dry and their ready to use, and I still have the originals if I mess up or need more, plus instead of trying to use old decals that roll up, I have new fresh decals to work with that will lay down flat - YAAA.

Hope that helps.

Pawel

Hello!

Don usually recommends scanning your decals (especially the old ones) before touching them. This way, if something goes wrong, you can re-print them. I have already made several custom decal sheets using CorelDRAW for drawing and custom printing companies for the print itself.

While it probably isn't heplful in your case, mabe re-drawing your decals would be less work than experimenting with all that chemistry?

The biggest set I made was for my Whale:

Here I used amix of custom made and kit decals. There were moments, where I regretted not re-drawing all the decals, for example when the wing walkway (kit decal) warped in an ugly way in process of putting it on. The custom-printed decals went on like a charm.

Hope it helps, have a nice day

Paweł

 

That is one fantastic aircraft build, Pawel!

A thinned solution of white glue will help decals adhere.  Apply with decal and then carefully wipe away excess while holding decal in position.  Get all the excess off- any seeping out around the edges will change the flatness of the finish.  Also, gloss or flat coat sealing coats may help hold them on, but not with much strength.

Hello!

Don usually recommends scanning your decals (especially the old ones) before touching them. This way, if something goes wrong, you can re-print them. I have already made several custom decal sheets using CorelDRAW for drawing and custom printing companies for the print itself.

While it probably isn't heplful in your case, mabe re-drawing your decals would be less work than experimenting with all that chemistry?

The biggest set I made was for my Whale:

Here I used amix of custom made and kit decals. There were moments, where I regretted not re-drawing all the decals, for example when the wing walkway (kit decal) warped in an ugly way in process of putting it on. The custom-printed decals went on like a charm.

Hope it helps, have a nice day

Paweł