brinjal Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 This is an Academy kit im working on. It disintegrates and curls up itself on the edges by being just inside the water. Once it dries a bit it breaks. It is so think that the white still has the shade of the color on the plane. Thankfully i can paint these invasion stripes myself. But im hesitant to move forward with other decals. I soak all my decals in warm water. Would like to know if there is a special method to treat these kind of decals before applying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Are you sure you are not oversoaking the decals? I usually do a quick dip in cold water and then let it rest on a paper towel. Still I had torn this particular decal on an Airfix model and they produce one of least fragile decals I have... I did the puzzlework on mine since I was feeling it is a good excercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 15 minutes ago, brinjal said: . . . Would like to know if there is a special method to treat these kind of decals before applying? If you suspect the decals might break up, coat them with 'Liquid Decal Film' made by Microscale 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Also, this is my personal lesson learned from old decals: I make extra high resolution scans of them before using. If oopsie happens I have a backup I can print out on decal sheet and use as either a spare decal or a reference if the decal is too transparent. But I know that if your decal broke this suggestion is like suggesting insurance after your house got hit by meteorite... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brinjal Posted July 9, 2022 Author Share Posted July 9, 2022 7 hours ago, Casey said: Are you sure you are not oversoaking the decals? I usually do a quick dip in cold water and then let it rest on a paper towel. Nope. Unless you count 15 seconds as long. I do these decals as i did on my previous ones. I'll try this cold water method. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brinjal Posted July 9, 2022 Author Share Posted July 9, 2022 Update - the cold water dip method works. I dip around 5 seconds, a couple of times. And then it comes off ok. Still too thin, but not as soft, and not as wretched / wrinkled. At least still salvageable. Thanks 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter96 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 (edited) If no-one has mentioned it before, I would really recommend using Micro Scale's "Decal Film". Brush one one or two coats, let it fully dry and then use the decals as normal. For old / fragile / delicate decals, it really helps hold things together. Hope this helps. Chris. Edited July 10, 2022 by spruecutter96 Correcting a typo. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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