Decal Dilemma

Just to add to all the others.  It really depends on whether the previous modeler clear coated the kit after applying the decals.  If they did not i would something strong like solvaset to try and get those thick decals to conform.  Otherwise you can try to carefully cut the decal to conform to the panel lines and such. Good luck and let us know what worked.  

If the decals are old and not clear coated, masking tape may take them off.  In fact if not clear coated, decal solvent may still work.  Try it and if not, then try to slit it and remove the decal as a last resort.

Hello!

Should the decal solutions fail, you could try to remove the decals with a so-called glass fiber pen - electronics stores carry them for cleaning up printed circuit boards and so on. This pen allows you to remove the decals layer by layer, so to say - and then you could apply aftermarket decals on top of the same places hiding the damage that might happen to the paint underneath. With roundels and the likes this should just work fine. could be a little worse with the lettering - this might require some touch up. Anyhow - good luck and please post some photos! Have a nice day

Paweł

Older kit Tamiya decals were pretty thick. I wouldn't try to take them off.

A little improvement would be to take a razor blade and cut through the decal along any panel lines, and take a pin and poke holes where they doen't sit flat over raised bumps. Then dab on some Micro Sol in those areas.

I'd start with a decal in a place where you can live with a mess, like underside of the wing.

My guess would be that you will probably have to remove the decals and start over with them. But, at this point I don't think you have much to lose by trying some other options first. Pick one of the decals that would be easiest to replace for testing. Brush a decal setting solution on it, and see what happens. If that does not work, try something stronger on it like Microsol and see what happens. If in fact the paints used on the model were all acrylics, including the clear finish coat, you might be able to carefully use something like Windex on a small brush to remove the finish on just the decal, then use the setting or softening agents to get the decal to settle. But if you get the Windex on the paint itself, it may damage it. I'm far from an expert on decals, but since no one else seems to have come up with any ideas for you, I thought I'd throw these suggestions out to you. Good luck.