Post by Whiterook on Apr 21, 2022 18:37:26 GMT -5
Modelers have all been there at one point or another — old decals that won’t come off the paper! The vast majority of the time, these are decals that are found in very old kits, and I’ve had two builds that I’ve personally experienced it. I was confused at first, because I never even considered that this happens…how does this happen?
Well the answer is, that decals are the components of kits most susceptible to damage from long-term storage. Compared to plastic, decals are fragile. Extremely hot or cold weather can make decal film crack or shatter. Insects, especially silver fish, relish the taste of decal adhesive. But the true nemesis of decals is moisture. Humidity can actually activate the adhesive on the decal sheet and permanently attach them to the paper. You’re sunk at that point, and no amount of soaking in water is going to get them off.
For the brave at heart, the next best thing is to seek about replacements on the secondary market, and if you can’t find something exact, you can generally get pretty darned close! And sometime, what you’d planned to build subject+wise can be the unexpected opportunity to shift into a new, and better scheme!
Well the answer is, that decals are the components of kits most susceptible to damage from long-term storage. Compared to plastic, decals are fragile. Extremely hot or cold weather can make decal film crack or shatter. Insects, especially silver fish, relish the taste of decal adhesive. But the true nemesis of decals is moisture. Humidity can actually activate the adhesive on the decal sheet and permanently attach them to the paper. You’re sunk at that point, and no amount of soaking in water is going to get them off.
For the brave at heart, the next best thing is to seek about replacements on the secondary market, and if you can’t find something exact, you can generally get pretty darned close! And sometime, what you’d planned to build subject+wise can be the unexpected opportunity to shift into a new, and better scheme!