Old decals.. any advise on how to use?

[Doc Frankenfield]

I have a bunch of old Microscale decals, and I mean old, some go back to 1980, they are very unstable and I am trying to use them anew..
Does anyone have any experience with using older decals?
Band new, they are fragile but older sets seem to just dissolve

[nickelplate759]

Yes.  You'll need to coat them before you cut them and get the wet.

Microscale Liquid Decal Film is one product for this.  It's brush on out of the bottle.  I've used it many times.  Microscale says this about it:
Every modeler and decal-user should have Micro Liquid Decal Film on hand, especially if you have been modeling for some time. The typical decal scrap box is not the best place to store the decals. Exposure to air, sunlight, moisture, great swings in temperature/humidity, or general abuse can cause decals can go bad. Restore old decals by coating them with MI-12 Liquid Decal Film before wetting. Use Isopropyl Alcohol to clean or thin
I'm guessing that if you thin it it will spray nicely.


Testors used to make a product I liked even better: Testors Decal Bonder #9200.  Came in a spray can.  It was terrific for this.

In either case, coat it shortly before you plan to use them (like a few hours or so.

In a pinch you can use a clear overspray - even Testors glosscote or dullcote.

[wazzou]

Yes.  You'll need to coat them before you cut them and get the wet.

In a pinch you can use a clear overspray - even Testors glosscote or dullcote.

This is usually what I’ll do.

[nkalanaga]

I would recommend the Glosscote, if you go that route.  Not only will it blend better with glossy paint, but I've had Dullcote turn white when I used Solvaset on it.  Not every time, but enough not to want to take the chance.

Incidentally, my latest purchase of Dullcote says it's an enamel, while Glosscote is a lacquer.  Weren't they both lacquers at one time?

[peteski]

Microscale Liquid Decal film is the same stuff Microscale uses as the clear carrier film on their decals. Seems that this would be the most optimal product to use to fix old Microscale decals.  It is probably more flexible than any standard clear lacquer, since those are not designed to be handled after application.

I had good luck simply airbrushing couple of wed coats of lacquer thinner over an old Northeast Decal sheet. The lacquer thinner melted the clear film back into a continuous film.  But that decal had the clear film over the entire sheet (not like separate decal images on Microscale sheet), so I'm not sure how that method would work on Microscale decals.

[wm3798]

The brush on liquid film product is best for decals that have already been cut.  Sprayed on applications will leach in to the cut edges and end up binding the image to the backer, essentially destroying the decal.
Only use the spray on glosscoat or other clear spray to full sheets that have not been cut.
Lee

[Doc Frankenfield]

thanks for the advise....
so far using the testors spray that comes with  their decal printing "kit" did not work, once the decals were wet, the entire thing cracked.
currently, I have sprayed gloss acrylic clear and that is drying over night, so far that looks better. will give it a try tomorrow.
 thanks again for the advise and have to hunt down the microscale decal coat.

[peteski]

thanks for the advise....
so far using the testors spray that comes with  their decal printing "kit" did not work, once the decals were wet, the entire thing cracked.

Testors stuff is meant to be applied on top of ink-jet printed decal to seal and protect the ink from dissolving in water.  I heard some success in it being used for saving cracked decals too. Maybe you needed to apply heavier (or multiple) coats.

[nkalanaga]

You can use  the spray-on products on sheets that have had decals cut from them, IF there is enough blank area around what you want to removed the affected edges.

As Lee says, any of the spray-on ideas will seal the cut edges, making it almost impossible to use the decal, unless the edges can be trimmed.

[Doc Frankenfield]

You can use  the spray-on products on sheets that have had decals cut from them, IF there is enough blank area around what you want to removed the affected edges.

As Lee says, any of the spray-on ideas will seal the cut edges, making it almost impossible to use the decal, unless the edges can be trimmed.

I did two separate decals sheets. with the spray on, one thin with and airbrush and the other two coats, both with an airbrush. The decals came off just fine but started cracking almost instantly even while still on the paper.
 I will be trying the decals I coated with acrylic gloss medium today and will update.
The problem with this is that it will be thicker. So I am ordering the Microscale material, (the shops in my area are all closed today)

[mmagliaro]

I honestly never thought about the complication of sealing the cut edges of the decal when sprayed with Gloss Cote.  That's a good point.   I have only ever sprayed a whole sheet and then cut the decals out with an Xacto knife.  Two coats of Gloss Cote worked well for me.  I have also used Dull Cote, but I think the gloss works better.  Occasionally, I had one still fall apart after spraying with Dull Cote.

[Doc Frankenfield]

Update:  The decals treated with Gloss Acrylic Gel both airbrushed and dotted on with a fine brush worked, they stayed together and applied well, however there is a noticeable surface difference when applied.  Gotta get the microscale decal solution.. I think that will restore the decals.
the paint job is only so-so, couldn't use the stripe decals and didn't have the correct masking material, so the back story is a minor crash at teh end of independent railroad passenger service, a rather pissed off painter knocked out the repair and repaint.. I figure a ton of weathering will make it "OK"

[wpsnts]

Microscale Liquid Decal Film has saved many of my old decals.
I use an airbrush to apply it.

Dave

[mecgp7]

Microscale Liquid Decal Film has saved many of my old decals.
I use an airbrush to apply it.

Dave

How do you thin it? It seems pretty darn thick.