Old decals: how to keep them from crumbling?

[conchan]

I am worried that the decals from an old kit, 1989 Monogram, are going to denigrate when I try to apply them. How can I prevent that from happening? would spraying a light clear coat before applying help?

I’ve heard that Microscale industries Decal Film works but can’t find that in my part of Japan.

[rattle can man]

Liquid decal film would be my preferred coating. Using a clear coat might work too. I've used both. sometimes they work, somtimes they don't. I would test the clear coat on a part of that sheet you don't plan to use to make sure there is no reaction.  You could scan them (I scan all of my decal sheets just in case) and have some printed by a decal company. Some decal companies have newly printed replacements. Another option is to trace the shapes and transfer them to plain white decal paper, cut them out and apply the decals. If you need pinstripes around the large shapes, try model RR  decals.

[ZTony8]

Use a clear lacquer. Be wary of Tamiya TS13 because it seems to be more likely to harm decals than some other brands.