forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Hints and Tips/Questions about modeling => Topic started by: BigBlue on June 03, 2016, 07:13:54 AM

Title: Decal removal
Post by: BigBlue on June 03, 2016, 07:13:54 AM

Does anyone have any good advice about removing decals without damaging the underlying paint?  I am really hoping not to have to strip everything down to bare plastic.

The decals in question are Aviattic clear fabric.  The plastic has been painted with Tamiya acrylics, and the surfaces under the decals received a couple of coats of Alclad Aqua Gloss.  They were applied using only water to position them, and a little bit of Micro Sol around a few of the structural elements to help them settle in.  They have not been sealed in any way.

I have all the parts soaking in water now, but am not seeing any loosening after the the first 20 minutes or so.  A watched decal never peels...?

Thanks for any advice,

Chris

Title: Re: Decal removal
Post by: Borsos on June 03, 2016, 07:19:54 AM

One way could be to dry everything, then to stick some tape onto the decal and to remove the tape suddenly. If everything works as it should, the decal should remain on the tape, not on the model. If this doesn't work, I'd take fine sanding paper and steel wool and sand the decal very carefully down to the paint under it.
Good luck!
Borsos

Title: Re: Decal removal
Post by: Des on June 03, 2016, 07:26:22 AM

The masking tape method usually has excellent results.

Des.

Title: Re: Decal removal
Post by: BigBlue on June 03, 2016, 07:30:59 AM

Ok... dry then tape... thanks guys!

I have certainly experienced the power of tape to lift those decals before...  It would be nice to put that power to positive use.

Title: Re: Decal removal
Post by: BigBlue on June 03, 2016, 07:53:25 AM

Well that worked like a charm!

Felt a bit like:

(http://magandafilipino.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/40-yr-old-virgin-mg-co-za.jpg)

Thanks again,

Chris