I have a set of decals and im not sure if they are still useable. They seem to look somewhat moldy/brown on the paper part of the decal. On the surface it seems like the surface is a bit dusty with random spots on it. The actual decals dont seem that bad. My assumption is that it is water damage and that maybe some dust and slight mold got stuck in the glue set on the paper. Do you know if the actual decals are useable in this situation normally or are they useless. I have a pic of them but i dont know if it will show here…any help is much appreciated! Please email me at Richbasas@hotmail.com as well if u can!
Are theywater slide or transfer decals?? They look like transfer decals to me and look fine to be used. If they are water slide you probably want to clean then and then airbrush Microscale liquid decal fiilm. Good luck.
How would I know oif they are water slide or transfer. I assume they are standard scale model decals, which i think are water slide. How would I clean them and what is liquid decal film?
From the photo above, what do you think the condition might be of the decal, and/or the decal glue included? How does the liquid decal product work and how might it affect me decals. I dont think these are old, but the seem to be moldy or have been exposed to moisture…what do you guys think, I dont know anything about glue technology!
Microset is used (from my understanding, and the way that I use it) to soften the decal a bit while you are applying it. It helps it to conform to the surface and makes it a little easier to position.
Microsol actually dissolves the decal and makes it very soft. I use it after the decal has dried a bit. It makes the decal completely conform to the surface and can reduce silvering.
As far as I know, these are only used for water and glue type decals. I have never used dry transfer decals so I don’t know if they will work for those.
Just a guess but they look as if they are water slide. The transfer type should be a reversed image. Any way there is a way to test them. Usually manufacturers information, i.e. Revell, Tamiya etc. and copyright dates can be cut from the film and transfered, even though you do not want to put it on the model. For some reason this happens, must be due to manufacturing process.
Use these for your test. Run a control test with just water. Then use one with the Micro Sol in the water. Use the overcoat from Microscale as well. The Microscale products have been around for a while and are very reliable.
I can not get a larger pic of your decals, but they do seem to have been exposed to something. Try the test and if it fails go and get some plain stock decals film in clear and white and ake the existing ones to Kinko’s to have color copies made. There again will you have to use the Microscale sealant.
What does the airbrushed decal film do precisely? I assume it doesnt not seal the decal on the page if sprayed on no? Does this make the decals reform their glue? My assumption is that perhaps the decals have been exposed to moisture and perhapos have lost their glue…if that is possible…will this spray replace it or am i not understanding the process?
Ad far as the copies go…can u actually make a precise copy of decals printed on another sheet and have it actually work properly and look the same as the original? I saw a testors product like this but i assumed the quality wasnt very good…
The film holds the decal together until dry on the model.
The film IS the glue as I stated before. It just covers the entire sheet, as opposed to the originals with film around the individual decals, so you have to cut closer to the decals to eliminate silvering and keep it from looking out of place.
