Decals—How old is too old?

I'll second Don's recommendation for Micro Scale Decal Film. I just salvaged some decals from a kit that looked fine, but shattered when I placed them in water. On the great advice of the folks on this forum, I used the decal film as directed and it worked fine. No more shattering! The decals went on the model with no issues and look good.

I should also point out that Micro Scale's Decal Film can be a lifesaver for old decals.  In addition to yellowing, a typical problem with them is that they dry out and crack.  Then, when you dip them in water, they disintegrate into pieces.  Many old decal sheets have extraneous areas that are actually decal film, like the brand name and sheet identification info.  On old decals that I fear are too dry, I cut out one of those areas to see if it breaks up. If so, I coat the whole sheet with decal film before I try any more items from the sheet. When you coat the sheet you will then have to cut close around each decal, but it is better than having to copy the sheet and do an inkjet sheet, especially if there are any white decals on the sheet.

You can get creative, That aircraft was all things to all countries. Heck, they even attacked Pearl Harbor! And there's a conversion kit for that.

Testors reboxed the kit for a while.

New to the forums and just came across this thread.  As I'm getting back into model building, one of my first projects was a Hawk 1/72 SBD Dauntless.  We won't discuss how it turned out, or my lack of skills, but I did want to chime in and say that the decals, even being over 40 years old, were fine.  I'm presently building a Glencoe/Hawk Vickers Viscount, and after that, another Hawk kit.... 1/72 Navy SNJ.  Its decals are a bit yellowed, and the printing is.... well... from another era.  I'd like to find some good aftermarket ones, but having a heII of a time finding any in 1/72 scale.

Gentlemen! There's no fighting in the War Room!

GMorrison

Nice avatar BTW. Think we met in a meeting once...

 

Bill

 

I believe it was in the war room... 

I totally agree with both previous posts. There's a lot of detail there.

Yellowing is usually not difficult to fix. Expose the decal sheet to sunlight for a couple of weeks and the yellow will get "bleached" out.

Nice avatar BTW. Think we met in a meeting once...

Bill

If it is anything other than a very recent kit, I make a test of the decal sheet.  Almost all decal sheets have markings on the decal sheet that are not used, such as company logo and part number.  Before doing anything else with the decal sheet, I cut out one of those areas and test it.  If it falls apart, I then use decal film over full sheet.

Also, I now scan every decal sheet before using, in case I have to make an inkjet copy.  This even for new kits, as I may sometimes screw up a decal and have to make a replacements.  Very few extra markings on most decal sheets.

'How old' is irrelevant.

I've used well-cared-for, good quality decals that are 40+ years old, and had them work flawlessly. And I've occasionally dipped 'brand new' decals in water, only to see them shatter into fragments.

It depends solely on how good the decals are to start, and/or whether they've been stored away from light, air and moisture.

Any 'context' for your question...or just floating a topic for discussion?