Restoring old decals

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

After many years, I’ve finally had the time to build a few of the Ambroid and Quality Craft wood models. Now that I’ve finished and painted them, I found out (the hard way) that the decals have dried out and disintegrated when I put them in water. Is there any way to restore them? Luckily, I have 2 of each kit so I still have 1 set left. Can I make new decals from the originals using a photocopier? These are specialized decals and cannot be found through any of the manufacturers.

Any ideas???

K4pop

2

I Would say look up dans resin casting on the internet. He does decals I believe. Send him a copy of the decals you have and I imagine he could make new ones for you no problem.

MIke

3

Try using Microscale’s Liquid Decal Film. I just brush it on over the decal and apply normally without any problem.

I just recently purchased some old Champ Decals that were discontinued over 40 years ago, I coated them with the film and had no trouble decaling my New Haven Depressed Center Flat Car.

Rick

4

I’ve saved old decals by spraying them with Testors Gloss Coat

5

,Dear Sir: I spray on two or three coats of Testors Dullcoat, let dry and apply. This method has worked well for me, even with decals decades old.

6

I would also recommend the Microscale Liquid Decal Film, it makes them new again. It’s the same stuff as the original decal film on the paper, so when dry, (which only takes about 5 mins), it behaves just like decals and conforms well around and over details. Glosscote does not have the flexibility to do that, although it works ok if the area is relatively flat.

I just rehabed some 20 year old decals for 20 passenger cars, after coating with the film, not one broke.