Decals falling apart

To prevent cracking coat the decals in Microscale Liquid Decal Film and let dry before immersing the decals in water. The decal film will bind the decal together.

Love that stuff.  There other folks making decal liquid film, but Micro Scale's stuff works best for me.

I'll add my two cents to that.  Whenever I build a older kit from my collection, I coat the whole sheet with Micro Scale Decal Film.  Works great, just remember to cut close to the image before placing in water.

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will give Microscale a try.

Cool

I scan every sheet I get. Then print if the decals are junk.

I have the microscale product but haven't used it yet. I used Badger's decal preservative, various clear lacquers and Testor's decal bonder. So far the Testor's product works best. The others do preserve the decals well but for reasons I can't ascertain they cause the decals to curl up and resist Solvaset's setting action strongly. It takes many applications to get a decal down. Testors? They stay together and lay right down. I must take my chances with Microscale on the recommendation of the above responders. 

Age of the decals is so important.  If the kit is more than about six or more old I regularly coat them with decal coating  I usually us microscale but have also found others work reasnably well.  I also scan my decals, in case there are other problems other prblems like mistakes in placement.

I've used all these: Badger's decal preservative, Testor's Decal Bonder, various spray can clear lacquers. All work. Badgers caused the decals to curl up and took several applications of Solvaset to lay down. Clear lacquers also somewhat stiffen the decal and present a little problem laying down with Solvaset. Testor's Decal Bonder has never failed to give excellent results even when the decal could be seen cracked on the backing paper. 

I have the MicroScale product and intent to give it a try, soon. 

I'd also like to try an acrylic clear. Possibly on an extra decal set. Possibly Createx's two part clears.