Coating old decals

[bobthehobbyguy]

I have an older set of decals. What is the best clear to use so that they won't fall apart? Also what has anybody found for coating microscale decals, is there something better for them? Thanks for any help in advance!

Edited October 8, 2019 by bobthehobbyguy
Spelling error title

[Dave Van]

I like Tamiya clear spray lacquer. Thin and tough. 

Might fix your post title and get more answers......maybe better than mine! 

[bobthehobbyguy]

Thanks Dave. Spell check strikes again.

How many coats of tamiya do you put on old decals?

[Snake45]

Micro Superfilm. Ask for it by name. It's that good. 

[espo]

I have had limited experience with this problem, but I have had good luck with Testors Detail Bonder. I think the biggest issue will be with the overall condition of the decals. Last year I did a Datsun 510 kit from the '70's and the decals were very yellowed. While soaking the decals in water a substance like mud came off with a light wipe off in the water. The decals still laid down OK.      

[Greg Myers]

Title worked for me 

[ZTony8]

Be careful using Tamiya TS-13. It's known to cause havoc with decals. Try Testor Ultra High Gloss clear; it's much milder.

[mr moto]

Two coats of this...

...worked on decals made in 1959.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Will be trying them out.

[Blazeguard]

I have also heard of people using Future to coat decals.  I haven't tried it myself yet but does anyone have any experience using that?

[Snake45]

7 hours ago, Blazeguard said:

I have also heard of people using Future to coat decals.  I haven't tried it myself yet but does anyone have any experience using that?

Use a water-based product to coat a surface you're going to submerge in the water? What could possibly go wrong? 

[peteski]

8 hours ago, Blazeguard said:

I have also heard of people using Future to coat decals.  I haven't tried it myself yet but does anyone have any experience using that?

Yes, *AFTER* they are applied to the model, Future (or PFM as the FineScale Modeler magazine calls it now) can be used as a clear coat to protect the decal.  But I have not heard of anybody using Future to repair old cracked decals (still on the backing paper).

[Blazeguard]

15 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Use a water-based product to coat a surface you're going to submerge in the water? What could possibly go wrong? 

Yes, it is water-based but once it's dried it doesn't just dissolve in water and the short amount of time that the decal is actually in the water when readying it for application wouldn't affect it, I would think.

Here's a couple of links I found that do reference using Future on decal sheets:

https://www.oldmodelkits.com/blog/plasitc-model-kits-how-tos/more-on-using-or-restoring-old-decals/

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/66931-what-clear-coat-to-save-old-decals/

I'll see if I have some extra decals lying around and maybe give this a try to see how it works.

[Snake45]

2 hours ago, Blazeguard said:

Yes, it is water-based but once it's dried it doesn't just dissolve in water and the short amount of time that the decal is actually in the water when readying it for application wouldn't affect it, I would think.

Here's a couple of links I found that do reference using Future on decal sheets:

https://www.oldmodelkits.com/blog/plasitc-model-kits-how-tos/more-on-using-or-restoring-old-decals/

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/66931-what-clear-coat-to-save-old-decals/

I'll see if I have some extra decals lying around and maybe give this a try to see how it works.

I'd rather just go ahead and use a product that I KNOW works, especially since a bottle of it will probably last a lifetime. 

[Greg Myers]

On 10/11/2019 at 6:17 PM, mr moto said:

Two coats of this...

...worked on decals made in 1959.

Looks good Mr Moto, where might one get some of this ?

[mr moto]

2 hours ago, Greg Myers said:

Looks good Mr Moto, where might one get some of this ?

Wherever Duplicolor is sold. I usually get mine at Pep Boys but Auto Zone, O'Reilly and other car parts stores carry it in this area, also.

[Greg Myers]

Thanks