24 year old decals fell apart

Yep, good times. I've had them do that. You can't save those, but someone (Microscale?) makes a decal film you can overcoat the others with so they're usable. 

Yes I’ve had it happen. Sometimes with decals that are only a year or two old. It happens.

Micro Scale does indeed make a liquid decal film that you can brush on old or suspect decals to keep them together. It only costs a few bucks and is well worth it.

I feel your pain brother!!  I have a tendency to buy  a lot of kits from shows and estate sales that are older kits....and yes, the decals are usually WAY past their prime.  I just go to Scale Hobbyist or Sprue Brothers and buy a set of good decals for the kit once I see they are done for.

I've had some not stick, crack really bad and just fall apart like those. 

I have not tried the Micro Scale decal film Stik mentioned.  That might be a good investment for me and my "older" kits.  Thanks Stik!

A lot. That's why I always scan sets of the older ones. I can then print them if that happens.

GMorrison

A lot. That's why I always scan sets of the older ones. I can then print them if that happens.

 

I also scan all my decals, for an emergency.  However, if I suspect the decals are old, I run a test first. If they are bad, I find decal films easier than homemade decals (thought those are my last resort).

For testing, almost any decal sheet has areas not intended for use (product number, brand name, etc.)  I cut such an area out and soak it to see what happens.  You can find these areas by seeing if the area around the printing shows signs of film.