I have tried applying some decals dated 2001 but after leaving the water they either rip or fall apart. I left one decal in the water for about 5 minutes only to find it had seperated from the backing but into a hundred pieces without me touching it.
Is there a date at which decals can no longer be used?
Can a person make their own decals using a computer and printer? What paper do I need?
With older decals, sometimes if you spray Testor’s Dullcote on the dry decal sheet and let it dry completely before using, it allows the decals to work without falling apart. I don’t know the exact time frame, but if decals aren’t in plastic sealed packaging they can “go bad” as you describe.
Check out Micro Liquid Decal Film from Microscale:
You can brush over an old decal sheet before using it. It’s supposed to keep the old decals from crumbling while applying them to a model. I haven’t personally used it before, but have heard good results from others who have used it. You should be able to find it in a well-stocked hobby shop that also carries Micro-sol and Micro-set.
I personally use the MicroScale Decal Film and have used it succesfully on 35 year old decals, due the changes in humidity due to the many moves across the county my decals have been subjected to a lot of abuse and this stuff works on them.
Rick
I have a lot of decal stock that is now nearing 20+ years of age and I use Microscale’s Liquid Decal Film with great success. Sometimes a decal may require two coats of the liquid film. The product is exactly what it says. It dries in about 5 minutes. Make sure you use an absolutely clean brush to apply, any dirt in the brush will be sealed in the fresh decal film.
Thanks for the info. I’ve wondered that myself and would really rather do that than try to figure out how to make my computer print out decals. Especially white ones. Me and computers have a love-hate relationship.