Old models & their decals

[Arnold J Rimmer]

Ok, my first Newbie question after returning to the hobby after many years.....

I've pulled a few of my early creations down from the loft, where the have been stored for a few years, they were carefully packed, and by and large have survived in good shape.

Back in those days, I did mostly "Cold War" aircraft, so we are talking metal finish airbrushed...decals applied, and that was that. 

The decals are still pretty much O.K. and as for the ones that aren't I can replace them.

Because some of these kits (Scorpion, Banshee, Dagger, Starfighter) I'm really keen on preserving, can I apply a top coat protection?

If so, what should I use?

Back in those days, weathering, panel wash, and all the P.E. stuff was unknown to me....Now I'm here, I want to learn, but all the same, I'd like to preserve these old ones!

Thanks in advance,

 

A.J.Rimmer Technician 3rd Class, (Acting)

[Black Knight]

Use the famous Klear or whatever name it has now. I use 'Astonish' which is exactly the same except for the scent, which disappears after a while

I suggest a mild cleaning of the surface first then apply the Astonish with a very wide soft brush

[Arnold J Rimmer]

Many thanks, gallant knight! I shall give it a go. 👍

[stevehnz]

There is a specialised product for this, Microscale Liquid Decal Film. I've used it to good effect, painting it on with a small to medium brush, depending on the decal size, it is possible to paint it on just the area of the decal & avoid having to cut around the decals which would be necessary if you painted over the whole sheet with this or Klear, on the subject of which, you might find this link useful for your old decals which may or may not have lost some of their stickability.

Steve.

[bentwaters81tfw]

^MLDF is for preserving old decals prior to application, and very good it is too. As BK says, 'Future' 'Klear' 'Pledge' is essentially a clear acrylic floor varnish (same product, different monika depending on current rebranding whim) applied with a broad flat brush (or an airbrush if you feel masochistic) Self levelling, no brushmarks, gives a high gloss finish pre decalling or post decalling, seals in the decals, and can be oversprayed with a matt varnish if required.

An alternative is 'Quickshine' from Lakeland.

Just be careful if you look for 'Astonish' as it's also the name of a caustic oven cleaner. Not recommended for plastics.

[stevehnz]

12 hours ago, Black Knight said:

I suggest a mild cleaning of the surface first then apply the Astonish with a very wide soft brush

I realise I misunderstood @Black Knight's meaning with this, I thought he was saying to clean up the decals & the paint them with Klear to reinforce them, hence my reference to Microscale Liquid Decal Film. Now that @bentwaters81tfw has clarified this, it makes more sense.

Steve.

[iainpeden]

A trick to clean up old decals which have yellowed is to tape them, "business side" out, to a window for a weeek or so - the UV "can" get rid of the yellowing.