Decals that have yellowed

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

I recently found some older Dragon - “Knights of the Skies Collection” still in the box but sadly the decals have yellowed. Does anyone have any tips that may restore decals to the clear state that they had when they were new?

Thanks,

PALADIN

2

I heard that if you tape them up to a window facing the sun for a couple of weeks they will turn “normal” again.

David

3

David is correct. You may also want to recoat them with decal adhesive (after sun-bleaching), available from several sources.

Don’t leave them too long—the sun will fade the other colors, too.

4

Ross, what is this adhesive you talk about, and how does it work? Does it soak through to the side of the decal that needs it, or is it something similar to the micro-scale clear decal film that I brush over decals to keep them from shattering? TIA.

5

I will give that a try.

Thanks,

PALADIN

6

Mike,

AAaacckk!

Not sure why I said “adhesive” when I meant “clear coat!” Sorry for the confusion! Must have been distracted, asleep, something!

7

Hey, no problem Ross! Been there many a time. [:D]

8

The “taping them to the window” trick does work, IF it’s a window that gets at least a couple of hours of direct sunlight every day, so pick one that faces as nearly east or west as you can. And do check the sheet every week or so, because the process is highly variable.

One thing I learned the hard way - to avoid even the remote chance of condensation forming between the decal sheet and the window, and ruining the decals, I tape a strip of cardboard at the top and bottom of the sheet to act as a “spacer” between the glass and the decal sheet. Alternatively, if the decal sheet is curled anyway, you can tape it in such a way that the curled ends hold the rest of the sheet away from the glass.