Sea61 Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 I recently purchased this, 1/32 Academy F/A-18C Hornet "Chippy Ho". Scalemates indicates it was released in 2003. My quandery is this. Being that its an old model, what steps can I take to preserve the decals if its possible. My first thought is to send the decal sheet out to someone to duplicate it, and then hope for some technical advice here. If I can work my way through this I'll post accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Mike Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 What is the issue with the decals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 From what I remember of the Academy decals, they don’t like to conform to anything other than flat surfaces so in your evaluation don’t let that quirk tell you they’re bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea61 Posted February 27, 2021 Author Share Posted February 27, 2021 What is the issue with the decals? Nothing I hope, I just ordered it, waiting on delivery. I figured I might have issues because it was an old release. Worried they may break up on me. I could try masking and painting the 'Nose art', but it would be alot of work. The decals should be Cartograf so maybe I'm worried over nothing. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Owens Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 A prophylactic coat of MicroScale Decal Film would not go amiss whatever the condition of the decals. You can brush it on the decal sheet (no need to spray it) to prevent the individual decals fracturing. In addition, IIRC, it even caused those old clunky ESCI decals to conform! HTH Sea61 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 i keep my most important/delicate/rare decal sheets in a folder in my bookcase, in my living room, at moderate temperatures and humidity, already since over 30 years, and they're still fine (ofcourse the much older sheets show their age, but then again...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea61 Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 2 hours ago, Rob Owens said: A prophylactic coat of MicroScale Decal Film would not go amiss whatever the condition of the decals. You can brush it on the decal sheet (no need to spray it) to prevent the individual decals fracturing. In addition, IIRC, it even caused those old clunky ESCI decals to conform! HTH Ok, I have to get my mind out of the gutter, 'prophylactic".. Yes, this was helpful, eased my mind a bit. Haven't built a model in 30 years so it's been an experience just catching up on modern modeling products and all the cool models available. I looked around abit after your suggestion, I will order Sol/Set/Film. Thank you and all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Rademaker Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 OK, can anyone please let me know what IIRC and HTH stands for? Thanks, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea61 Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 IIRC ? Hope That Helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Confusionreigns178 Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 I've often thought that twenty years is getting into "will they work / won't they" territory? I'm sure folks on LSP have used decals successfully that are much older than this, but my (fairly limited) experience with old decals is not great. I think the aftermarket decals advice is some very sound wisdom. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Stambaugh Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Likewise, I haven't much experience hereto fore applying 20+ year old decals. But... It is well known that moisture/humidity are mortal enemies of decals so I seal mine in ziploc freezer bags which are kept in a cool dark air conditioned room. Additionally I hang the bags vertically with clothes hangers (clamp type) in a closet to protect from damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 1 hour ago, James Rademaker said: OK, can anyone please let me know what IIRC and HTH stands for? Thanks, Jim IIRC: If I Remember Correctly HTH: Happy To Help or Hope That Helps Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Rademaker Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Thank you. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea61 Posted March 3, 2021 Author Share Posted March 3, 2021 I recently happened across this, Testors' Decal Bonder. Spray can application, applied just prior to decal application. Anyone use it? More than likely it is a varnish pretreatment to the decal, I don't know, that's why I'm asking. So far, as decal pretreatment the Testors Decal Bonder and the MicroScale Decal Film, could help as a pretreatment to applying older decals. I'm sure most of you 'old timers' already know this, this is for the new comers, myself included. In the mean time I'll keep searching LSP's data base, For anyone interested, heres a few links to product. Hopefully they work and I'm not breaking any website rules. DecalGear.com - Testors Decal Bonder should be helpful for folks looking into making their own decals. https://www.amazon.com/Microscale-MICRO-DECAL-3-Bottle-Combo/dp/B01BALXVQC/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&hvadid For Microscale Sol/Set/Film. And a final thought for the kind folks that suggested looking into after market decals if needed, I bought the model for it's unique nose art work. Rare to find a modern military jet model in 1/32 scale presented that way, let alone an aftermarket decal set. Thanks again all, hope my links worked for anyone interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 There were nice aftermarket decals for that scheme and a very similar one but they are older than the kit ones ! They were made by Tiger Wings (I still have them somewhere). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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