A quick Microsol question.

[HotRodaSaurus]

I have an old JoHan Plymouth I am restoring but is has all the custom parts and every decals glued to it. Probably built by a youngster back in the 60s.

So my question is, Will a dab of Microsol soften up the decals so they could be possibly be removed, saved and re-applied to this old time custom. The bodywork is unpainted.

Or any recommendations for removing and saving decals?

Thanks all, J

[Snake45]

No! As its name implies, Microsol actually DISSOLVES the decal.

If you want to try to save the decals, you can try putting it in water for a few hours, days, or weeks--whatever it takes. This doesn't have a real high success rate but it's about your only shot.

[Tom Geiger]

John, your best bet is to create a thread in the "Wanted" section on this board to get a new copy of that decal sheet.

In the past, I had a very small decal come off a model and it had lost it's stick-um. I was successful in getting it back onto the car using Micro Kristal Klear canopy cement.

[Snake45]

  On 6/24/2015 at 2:58 PM, Tom Geiger said:

In the past, I had a very small decal come off a model and it had lost it's stick-um. I was successful in getting it back onto the car using Micro Kristal Klear canopy cement.

Future is also great for that. In fact, over in Model Airplane World, some of my friends actually apply decals into a "puddle" of Future. I've tried that and it does work, but it's not my preferred or go-to technique, just something to use in some special situations.

[jbwelda]

>create a thread in the "Wanted" section on this board to get a new copy of that decal sheet.

right. my experience with just that was my thread got deleted with neither permission nor provocation. that was after I originally posted it in the aftermarket section because I was looking for a fresh copy but it was moved to the wanted section (a stupid move) and then when I even hinted I had found one (of two I was seeking) the thread was disappeared by over zealous moderators (what?).

so best of luck. maybe they just have a thing against "loose cannons".

jb

[Agent G]

John,

MicroSol works by melting the decal, allowing it to conform to the surface it's applied to. I don't think that's what you need in this instance as they may become too soft to move. Unfortunately I have no suggestions, or experience, in removing, saving and re applying decals.

G

[Miatatom]

Microset isn't as "hot" as Microsol. Don't know if it will work though.

[Snake45]

  On 6/24/2015 at 5:57 PM, Miatatom said:

Microset isn't as "hot" as Microsol. Don't know if it will work though.

It won't work any better than water. It's really just dilute white vinegar, used as a "wetting agent" to avoid bubbles.

I recently tried to save some old decals as the OP wants to. One was on the "glass" of a model car. Soaked that one underwater for more than a month and it didn't budge. The other case was on an old Hawk model airplane (kit decals). That one took over a week underwater. The decals eventually came off, but I doubt they're re-usable. But hey, give it a try, you might get lucky.

[Miatatom]

  On 6/24/2015 at 6:03 PM, Snake45 said:

It won't work any better than water. It's really just dilute white vinegar, used as a "wetting agent" to avoid bubbles.

That's good to know and cheap to replace.

[Roadrunner]

Personally I think it's a lost cause. All of the adhesive from the original decals will be ruined anyway, and those slimy decals (even if you can remove them in one piece, which is doubtful), will be a real bear to keep from get all stuck to themselves. I'd use the trader board, as suggested by jbwelda, and see if you can secure a new sheet that way, but that's just me.

[fseva]

I have to agree with Kevin - I can't believe there is anything anyone can do to save already applied decals without damaging them. Best to just soak the whole model in Super Clean or Bleche-White and start over. You just have to realize how delicate these thin pieces of clear film are, to think they could be saved, when products are used before they're applied to save "old" decals... and they don't work!

[HotRodaSaurus]

Ok thanks all The JoHan decals are quite common I believe so may go that way and acquire some new items......as long as they are not all cracked up.

Cheers, John