Saving old decals

You can try spraying them with Testors cear laquer, or brush them with future floor wax, or tamiya x22 acrylic clear. Those microscale decals are not very strong.

You could try to copy them with your scanner then reprint them on the decal paper. Do not know if they will be the correct color or dark enough. It is worth a try?

Hi, The old champ decals were printed on thick film,you might have luck spraying them with a clear gloss finish from a rattle can like krylon. Go light on spray as youll make decals very thick and hard to hide. Sure do miss the old champion decals!!

Dave

oldrob posted:

 Those microscale decals are not very strong.

If they've not been kept in a sealed bag, controlled humidity environment, etc.....you're right about the Microscale decals. 

However, the poster's problem is with old Champ decals.

To which I say...good luck.  Taking some time to surf the net for old decal advice...among several branches of hobbies besides trains...can yield some options.  However, the options don't always apply to the specific 'Last-Hope' set.  

So,.....how's your luck been running, pal?

Decals (old) and I (also old!) have had a rather tumultuous relationship.   The closest I've come to full cardiac arrest, debilitating despair, postal pandemonium, etc. is with the decals from the old Strombecker wooden model trains that have the diesel E unit engines (B&O and COSF).  Those sheets of decals, I've decided, were/are a ticket to a whole new realm of blue language!  I believe I learned that from the ol' man....his effort to apply the B&O full-engine decal in one piece to my carefully crafted/finished engine about 65 years ago was.....well,.....let's just say it's a good thing the church pastor didn't show up at the same time!!!

And, so, seeing an original set of the same streamliner at a hobby show a few years ago, complete with the not-so-curled decal sheet, I thought to myself: 'Self!  You're smarter now,.....right?  You've developed some techniques, the manufacturers (Microscale) have a re-coat film, why not give 'er a try?!?"

right.

I've had good success with Testors spray lacquer on old Champs decals. a light coat, let dry, repeat, repeat. too heavy and the lacquer may wrinkle the film.

Clear coating tends to stiffen the decal to much which is OK if your applying them to a flat smooth surface with no curves or details such as rivets. To apply decals properly they need to be able to flex and shrink and clear coat prevents this.

Same trouble with Champ CB&Q E-8 decals. Coated them with MicroScale decal film. They were so stiff, they wouldn't bend well. These decals were made before ZIP codes were out as the address said Chicago, X, Il.

Dick

PRR Man posted:

I've had good success with Testors spray lacquer on old Champs decals. a light coat, let dry, repeat, repeat. too heavy and the lacquer may wrinkle the film.

Yup.  A light overspray, let dry, test a bit that you won't use, if good, go forward!  If not, repeat process until good.  Not had any problems with stiffness or failure to conform to surfaces - just enough sprayed on to get the job done.

Thanks Guys for the advice. I'll let you know how I do.