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Advice needed: Old Lindberg "Press-Cal" Decals

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Advice needed: Old Lindberg "Press-Cal" Decals
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 25, 2004 12:41 PM
Okay, so maybe I am entering my second childhood. I purchased one of those motorized Lindberg kits like I built as a kid. Mainly, I wanted to try my hand at putting together one of those little motors again.

My problem is that this 1982 Lindberg motorized kit of the X-3 Stilleto has something called "Press-Cal" decals. The decals were evidently adhesive backed and designed to press on. They were originally sandwiched between a clear cover film and slick backing paper. You are supposed to remove the backing paper and press them on the model with the edge of a coin. Although the decals appear in decent condition, the backing paper has come off due to age, and there appears to no longer be any adhesive on them.

Any suggestions on salvaging the situation would be appreciated.
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Central USA
Posted by qmiester on Sunday, September 26, 2004 8:11 AM
I'm afraid that there probably isn't much you can do with them. Back in the mid 60s to the mid 70s Letra Set produced a series of rub on "decals" and they probably produced the set you have for Lindberg. The initial issues were black and white (Luftwaffe as you might suspect) with the latter issues being multi colored. I loved em because they went on easily and looked like they had been painted on and there was never any problem with silvering like a standard decals. The biggest problem turned out that if you didn't use them within 6 months or so after purchasing them, they would either not stick to the model (most common) or portions of the film would stick to the model but other portions would not come loose from the backing sheet, tearing the decal. Letra set got out of the modeling decals but still makes rub on letter and number sets you can find in the craft sections of a lot of stores.
Quincy
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 26, 2004 8:40 AM
if you can, id say treat the "press-cal" things like a piece of paper and use white glue and then seal with dullcote or future. this is just a suggestion, im afriad i ahve no experience with the things
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Sunday, September 26, 2004 11:37 AM
I have some old rub-on instrument decals that have the same problem. Since they have to go on a painted background, I paint gloss white and wait until it's just tacky, then rub them on (gently), with something like 95% success. Maybe you could try a clear coating, depending on your situation. Obviously, if there are any "spare" markings on the sheet, you can practice on a non-critical surface first.
Best of luck.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
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