Taking care of Decals to last the distance..how?

LuiS_42 · Post by **LuiS_42** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:28 pm

anyone have advice on how to take care of decals? i have some kits that are old like 25 years +! i'm just concerned that the decals might go brittle or something.. how can i make sure they last?

thanks for the help!
Luis

Jonas Calhoun · Post by **Jonas Calhoun** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:57 pm

Spray a coat of microscale's decal film over 'em before handling. If they are yellow, tape them to a sun-facing window for a few days.

Dan

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:17 am

What Dan said.

LuiS_42 · Post by **LuiS_42** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:12 pm

Thanks for the tip guys! btw, how do i take care of all my other regular decals? how do i store them or keep them? do i keep them on a clear plastic floder? place paper in between them? thanks again for any advice!

Luis

Post by **TER-OR** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:03 pm

Moisture is your greatest enemy, heat second. I store my aftermarket stuff in binders, using the clear page inserts.

I have used 20+ year old decals, but those tend not to be the kit decals from Monogram, Airfix etc. Tamiya or Hasegawa or newer Monogram etc. tend to be much better.

Kekker · Post by **Kekker** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:03 pm

I use the big ziploc bags. Keeps them dry and away from too much oxygen. The styrene will take attic heat (except in Texas!) better than the decals, so keep them apart from the kits, too.

Kev

LuiS_42 · Post by **LuiS_42** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:45 pm

thanks for the great advice guys! now i know better!!

Stu Pidasso · Post by **Stu Pidasso** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:21 pm

What Dan said.

Jonas Calhoun · Post by **Jonas Calhoun** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:57 pm

I also throw a couple of dessicant packs in with my decals when I store them in a box/binder/whatever...

Dan