Strange Decal Problem

[ljudice]

Been decaling a long time, but I never remember this happening before...

Applying two different sets - Microscale - one several years old and one brand new (??) - decals took a lot longer to release and as they dried they "crazed". The decal stayed intact - it was as if the printing or ink was crazing and the carrier stayed in once piece.

Now, on the first I was using Solvaset - so figured maybe it was too strong (although I have been using a lot lately for decals going over a lot of irregularities.  But the second one was softened with Microscale products.

I am guessing this is age related?  Decals are stored in my basement which extremely consistent - 68 degrees, 31% humidity all year long.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Been decaling a long time, but I never remember this happening before...

Applying two different sets - Microscale - one several years old and one brand new (??) - decals took a lot longer to release and as they dried they "crazed". The decal stayed intact - it was as if the printing or ink was crazing and the carrier stayed in once piece.

Now, on the first I was using Solvaset - so figured maybe it was too strong (although I have been using a lot lately for decals going over a lot of irregularities.  But the second one was softened with Microscale products.

I am guessing this is age related?  Decals are stored in my basement which extremely consistent - 68 degrees, 31% humidity all year long.

Did they remain "crazed" after they dried?  I noticed some decals did this while they dried, but end up being OK once dry.

[sizemore]

I usually go through 6 - 8 applications of Micro-Sol on those peskier decals using a fresh #11 blade to make a teeny tiny bleeder hole.

The S.

[ljudice]

No, they dried crazed - I'm going to photograph them tonight and then remove them...

Actually, they look a lot like paint that has crazed from years of age, but of course they are not faded....

[cv_acr]

No, they dried crazed - I'm going to photograph them tonight and then remove them...

Actually, they look a lot like paint that has crazed from years of age, but of course they are not faded....

If you can somehow fade the colours down with an overspray, maybe that would generate an interesting effect?

[ljudice]

Thought about that - but not sure it would work well here!

But - I did realize one thing - on both of the models that this happened to, the decals were placed over an area where I removed factory lettering with Chamelion.  I know I washed them but I wonder if there could have been a residue left over that destroyed the decals?

[sizemore]

No, they dried crazed - I'm going to photograph them tonight and then remove them...

Actually, they look a lot like paint that has crazed from years of age, but of course they are not faded....

By crazed you mean silvering underneath the decal?

[ljudice]

No - the decal film was fine...  The printing disintegrated into a zillion little pieces - but stayed intact on the carrier.  It looked like cracked paint. Actually it looked like a solvent was spilled onto the decal.   However - the shell had been cleaned thoroughly and then clearcoated.

Maybe it was the clearcoat ??? (Model master)

I am running some tests today - new, old decals  - the modified surface and unmodified surfaces and with different softeners.

I don't understand - been doing this for many years and never had a problem. It's the fact that it was a new and old set that has me worried.

Lou

[sizemore]

No - the decal film was fine...  The printing disintegrated into a zillion little pieces - but stayed intact on the carrier.  It looked like cracked paint. Actually it looked like a solvent was spilled onto the decal.   However - the shell had been cleaned thoroughly and then clearcoated.

Maybe it was the clearcoat ??? (Model master)

I am running some tests today - new, old decals  - the modified surface and unmodified surfaces and with different softeners.

I don't understand - been doing this for many years and never had a problem. It's the fact that it was a new and old set that has me worried.

Lou

Old decals have a tendency to fall apart. Sounds like once you hit it with solvaset each lil' peice shrunk.

The S.

[GaryHinshaw]

Did the same thing happen on both the old and the (supposedly) new set?  Couldn't tell from rereading your posts.  Also, did you rule out a Chameleon problem now?  Pictures?

[ljudice]

Haven't run the test yet - but I did go out and get fresh Microscale setting solution today to rule out any sort of contamination question.

I think it was decal age - perhaps the set I thought was new wasn't so new?

The other odd thing was they took forever to release, which is usually a sign of an old dried out decal.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have had a lot of newer MS decals be very difficult to remove. These are recent runs from their newer packaging. It can take 2-3 minutes in water then another 2-3 minutes on a napkin untill they are ready to be removed. Older decals are ready t6o go in under a minute.

I wonder if there is a new formula being used.

[Erik W]

Just curious, what temperature water do you guys use?  I use fairly warm water.  It cuts the removal time in half for most decals, when compared with room temp water. 

Erik

[ljudice]

OK - well I tried the same decal application - from a set I bought today - definitedly had been sitting in the store for a few years - and it worked perfectly.

Must have been the decal - as nothing else was changed - except fresh softener solutions.

I find some new MS decals come off in seconds - and others take a long time.

My water is usually room temperature, but I agree, warmer is usually a little better.

Thanks for the input!