Removing decals ?

[Greg Myers]

Is there a fool proof way to remove decals without messing up the paint beneath ?

[Scale-Master]

Start with tape.

[niteowl7710]

Start with tape.

Yeah what Mark said! Get some run of the mill scotch tape, burnish it down tight, and then remove. The decal should come right off without affecting the underlying paint.

[lrlocke01]

X3 on the tape, usually works with no problem, especially if they have not been for a long time.

[Dragracer]

I got some decals off a model just by using water,soap & a soft toothbrush, put soap on the toothbrush and brush it under warm running water, my decals came off easy with no damage to the paint.

[bbowser]

As long as they weren't treated with setting solution, like solvaset or microsol. That stuff really makes 'em stick!

[Guest Johnny]

My kid found that tape method on line and was trying it on an old Glidden Pro Stock I had gave him! He was telling me how it didn't work and now it was soaking and he was going to have to repaint!

Didn't have the heart to tell him that the reason it didn't work was the 5 coats of clear over the decals!

[Scale-Master]

As long as they weren't treated with setting solution, like solvaset or microsol. That stuff really makes 'em stick!

Actually, by nature, decal solvents do not increase the strength of the adhesive of the decals, they soften the inks to make them more pliable so they can conform better.

Now, if you had applied those decals to uncured paint, some decal solvents can react with both the decal and the paint. So removing those decals by tape will most likely leave some evidence that the decals were there...

[Greg Myers]

First attempt with tape didn't work. Will try another brand.

[Junkman]

My problem with tape is that it removes the paint too. Chips of it. No idea how others achieve to make their paint stick so good, mine never does.

I remove decals - provided they weren't sealed with clearcoat - by submerging the parts in water with a dash of toilet cleaner. Yes, you read right. A bit of toilet cleaner that contains hypochloride. That's the stuff marked 'caustic' on the label.

[Scale-Master]

First attempt with tape didn't work. Will try another brand.

Often masking tape works just fine. Scotch Magic tape pressed on firmly and yanked off at a perpendicular angle works quite well. But the stronger the decal bond the higher the chances of some paint coming along.

If that does not work, you can try using decal solvent like paint stripper for the decals. But it may (small chance) affect the paint too. And it might take some time...

[ra7c7er]

My kid found that tape method on line and was trying it on an old Glidden Pro Stock I had gave him! He was telling me how it didn't work and now it was soaking and he was going to have to repaint!

Didn't have the heart to tell him that the reason it didn't work was the 5 coats of clear over the decals!

lol. Sounds like my nephew.