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Yellow decals

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  • Member since
    November 2020
Yellow decals
Posted by WolfMec96 on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 6:17 AM

So we all have bought old model kits where the decals have yellowed due to age.  I have heard you can tape them to a sunny window i have also heard you could use a uv lamp also. Has anyone ever used a uv lamp or something like it to restore old decals?

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, November 5, 2020 8:57 AM

Taping it to the inside of a window will work because the wavelength needed is longer wave UV- some does get through the glass.  Quicker to tape it outside in direct sun, but you have to check it every hour or so to keep from bleaching out the ink colors you want to stay.  As soon as yellow is gone, take it in.

Also, I find direct sunlight does well to harden those UV glues.  They do not completely harden with the few seconds of UV from the gadget in the kit- they are pretty hard but do completely harden with about 20 minutes of direct sunlight.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 3:51 PM

Hi Don! I have an F6F-5 Hellcat on the bench to work on after my SBD Dauntless. All the white decals have yellowed on the sheet. I took your advice and taped the decals to the window on Saturday. I checked them every day. When I checked them this afternoon the yellow was gone and the whites are white again. Doesn't look like any damage to the other colors.

Thanks for the advice!

Jim Captain

Stay Safe.

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 4:39 PM

It works for sure.

One caution; don't use a window that gets condensation on the inside!

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Thursday, November 12, 2020 8:14 PM

Thanks for that tip. It's a good thing that I checked them often. Planning on doing it with a couple more old decal sheets.

Jim Captain

Stay Safe.

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

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