When All Else Fails....?

[gcthree]

I'm building an older Corvette C5-R Revell kit. Likley 20+ years old.  

The decals are an important part of the build and extremely detailed. But they're old and I'm having a lot of trouble getting them to stick.  The faux-carbon decals (in particular) seem more substancial and I've applied both Micro Sol to soften them and then Mr. MarkSetter to improve the adhesion with no success. They keep curling-up on non-flat surfaces.  

Any suggestions?  Has anyone used a liquid glue of some sort to float the decals and adhere them? 

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bob 

[bobss396]

I have mixed Elmer's white glue with decal water, sometimes it helps.

I'm doing... or was doing... a box art '40 Ford with a sheet of Chimneyville decals I've had for years. The stock # is 1601.

I'm using the flames only. They refuse to come off the backing no matter how long they soak. My plan is to contact STS decals to see if they can replicate what I need.

[Mothersworry]

I've had some success with Tamiya Decal Adhesive in getting troublesome decals to stick. 

[SpikeSchumacher]

Hi Bob, as an alternative, you may want to order new decals. You can obtain sheets of carbon fiber look decals from Scale Motor Sports (although I have heard they may be out of business), or you can order the Tamiya ones from Amazon. I have tried the latter and they perform very well.

Best,

Mathias

[peteski]

Some Revell decals seem to be on a thick (and inflexible) side.  I also recommend Scale Motorsports Carbon Fiber decals. They are thin and easy to work with. Scale Motorsports is back online under new ownership.

[Spooker]

I've successfully used Micro-Scale Liquid Decal Film to "glue down" thick stubborn decals.  Not its intended purpose, and you need to monitor things during its drying time, but it does work.  I did some 1/43 scale Heller decals, like cereal box cardboard, and they look pretty good and have stayed put.

 

Edit:

Oh yeah, almost forgot, Future  can be used as well, same criteria, keep an eye on things while drying.  

Edited May 15 by Spooker

[gcthree]

4 hours ago, SpikeSchumacher said:

Hi Bob, as an alternative, you may want to order new decals. You can obtain sheets of carbon fiber look decals from Scale Motor Sports (although I have heard they may be out of business), or you can order the Tamiya ones from Amazon. I have tried the latter and they perform very well.

Best,

Mathias

Thanks, Mathias. I did also order a sheet of Patto's carbon fiber decals and its great as I finally gave up on the Revell decals which were both old and unusually thick as Peteski pointed out. I'll post some photos once I've finished applying them. 

Best,

Bob 

[Deathgoblin]

When I'm applying decals, I use decal set and white glue.  I dip the brush in decal set first, then in white glue and brush it on then apply the decal over it.  Once it's down, I use a Q-Tip to gently remove the excess.  Occasionally there's a little residue on the paint/decal and I use a little Novus 1 to remove.  Used it to apply decals on everything from my Richard Petty Grand Prix to the USS Enterprise, and even ones with homemade decals like the Porsche 917.