Removing decals.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

What is the easiest way to remove old decals from a painted surface without damgaging the paint or plastic underneath?

Thanks,

Mark

2

Have the decals been covered with a clear coat of paint? This makes all the difference in the world. If they haven’t been coated, perhaps soaking them in Solvaset will soften them for removal. Solvast (by Walthers) is a mild acid solvent.

Bob Boudreau

3

Thanks Ill try it.

Mark

4

Mark,
I use Solvaset too. If that doesn’t work, try one of the old “typewriter erasers”, the white ones in a pencil-like covering seem to work best. Lightly rub the surface and the decal will usually come off. If that fails, I ‘scratch’ the decal off with the tip of a sharp #11 X-ACTO blade.

5

If it is truly decals, and they aren’t coated, Micro Sol (the red bottle) will dissolve them. Keep it wet with solvent and don’t rub it in, because the dissolved decal is just like paint.

6

I restored an old Revell Yarmaster office and an X-acto knife did the trick in removing the decals.

Repainted it and now ready to be re-decaled.

Thanks again,

Mark