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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: David Felinczak on October 06, 2010, 08:46:33 AM
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Need assistance on restoring a sheet of old water activated decals.
I am currently building an original Midwest profile AD6 Skyraider (48" Wingspan) that I acquired on EBAY and I definitely would like to use the decals that came with the model.
The decals are age cracked and I need some ideas on how to prepare the sheet prior to application.
My local hobby shop suggested using the Testors Custom Decal System spray decal bonder (Testors part # 9200).
The decal bonder is a spray can application system.
They suggested spraying the decal sheet with several light coats prior to water activation.
All ideas appreciated greatly.
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Hi David ,
If the decals are yellowed , place them in a sunny window . The sunlight should bleach them out , quite nicely .
I like to use the MicroScale (by Bare Metal Foil) product 127 , for decal restoration .
The instructions say to brush it on , but for larger decals , I spray on two to three light coats.
Here's a link ...
http://www.bare-metal.com/Microscale-Model-Finishing-Products.html
BTW
Th whole sheet will be covered by the solution , if sprayed , so you will have to trim each decal .
Rob K.
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Rob,
Thank you for the great tip.
I went to the link you posted and read through the documentation.
The product you recommended looks like the solution to my problem.
At the very least it will be a inexpensive test.
Very glad you gave me the BTW otherwise I would ruined the sheet.
Thank you
David F.
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If nothing else works, you can scan them into the computer and print them out on new decal paper.
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Will,
I will do that prior to spraying the Microscale topcoat over the sheet.
Thank you for the follow-up.
David
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My pleasure David y1
Hope everything works out for you and your model !
Rob K.
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Speaking of water-slide decals. Anybody know a source of those old-tyme number/letter decals that were abvout 2" tall, and gold with black border? All I can find on an internet search is decal paper, or too small.
Floyd in OR
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Floyd,
Try http://www.brodak.com/
John Brodak has water activated decals (2" and 1" letters/numbers) that are black with white border.
Another source is Northeast Screen Graphics at http://www.majordecals.com
Hope this helps.
David F.
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Everybody has black. I'm looking for gold.
Floyd
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Floyd,
You may have to look at fabricating the decals yourself or stop in at your local graphics design shop.
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David,
And to support what Will suggested, depending on the condition of your decals, you may want to scan them, and then print them on fresh decal paper which is available from several sources, which Google can quickly find for you.
The additional step you can do, is to open the scan in a graphics program, and repair defective areas as needed. That can be time consuming, but it allows you to end up with exactly the quality you want.
The instructions that come with the decal paper will generally recommend a protective spray coating. Krylon "Crystal Clear" is the coating of choice by the manufacturer of the paper I have.
And Floyd, I too miss the old gold with black edge decals that were readily available in hardware stores way back when....I still have one old blue "Magician" with those decals on it. They were pretty much all that was available then, and now you can't get them at all.....ain't that the way it goes! ;-)
Cheers.
Warren Wagner
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I have a local sign shop make the gold/black outline decals using their thinnest/lightest vinyl. Looks exactly like the old decals. In the past I made masks for the gold and used a Rapidograph pen for the black outline
Mongo