Fix for Old Yellowed Decals?

I have some old RPM decals and some of the white decals have gone yellow. I read a comment recently on a another discussion board in which a guy said that if you leave yellowed decals in sunlight for a time that this will 'bleach' them white again??

Does anyone know if this actually works or is it just an old modellers wives tale???

Anyone tried this? How long do you need to leave them for etc....not that we ever really get any sun

Was reading up on this the other day on fsm forum, gimme 5

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/96399.aspx

Thought i would post up my results on this .
I followed the tips on the link that Dave put up by placing the yellowed decals in a small celophane bag taped to the window in my conservatory in full sunlight.
I must admit I was a bit skeptical as to whether this would work but was amazed at the results;

Before;


After 5 weeks;


I put them in the conservatory on 26th February, and the 'After' pic was taken today.

That's a stunning repair Simon, and I bet you're well pleased with the result!

I too had heard of this method but was similarly sceptical - UNTIL NOW!

Is there any risk of them yellowing again after they have been removed from the sunlight though?

Yeah really pleased with result David, as you say I was very skeptical too.

I don't know if they will yellow again if put away in the box again, I suspect they may well do. They had been stored in the box with the model since it was purchased some years ago.
I assume that if they are put on the model and the model is displayed in normal light then they will stay white?

To my mind it does rather throw into confusion the debate as to keeping your models away from sunlight for the fear of the decals yellowing, in this case it seems the opposite is true

Thanks mate - I'll give it a try with a couple of sheets that I have here.

Now you will use them and because they have been in the sun for so long they will be brital and break up?

BUT.......i've had an idea.

When people print there own decals they have to spray them with some sort of laquer to stop the ink dissolving. Would this also work on old decal sheets. A couple of coats to make them usable again???????

Simon

Amazing. I had heard that this would happen but never ever tried it myself.

Spaying lacquer over them will/might help. Large area of colour that have to bend around shapes are the ones likely to break up. A lot of the very old decals are quite thick in the first place so more lacquer would make them even thicker.

Clearly you will have to cut out each individual decal. But with a keen eye it should be no problem.

When the sun comes out!!!!!???? I will be trying this one out.

Cheers
Chris

Hi Simon,

Thanks for sharing this. Didn't know what to do with yellowing decals. I do now - send them to you to put in your conservatory!

The before and after shots are very compelling. Certainly worth a spray of lacquer before you use them, but perhaps give them a high quality scan first! I think that's what I'd do in the first instance.

Cheers, Steve

Glad it worked Simon , they look like rpm decals

Thanks for the link Dave, it worked a treat.
Yes you're right RPM decals, it's a kit I bought many years ago

Simon6R4 wrote:Thought i would post up my results on this .
I followed the tips on the link that Dave put up by placing the yellowed decals in a small celophane bag taped to the window in my conservatory in full sunlight.
I must admit I was a bit skeptical as to whether this would work but was amazed at the results;

Before;


After 5 weeks;


I put them in the conservatory on 26th February, and the 'After' pic was taken today.

Wow Wee! I won't be able to see out of one my windows for 5 weeks now! Neighbours will think I've got the decorators in!!!

good stuff lads!!

Have you tried these yet Simon?

as said above, scan them first before use m8, save the copied file and you have back-up to print if necessary......

gaz_bass wrote:Have you tried these yet Simon?

No, I haven't tried them not yet Gary

bmd wrote:as said above, scan them first before use m8, save the copied file and you have back-up to print if necessary......

Yeah a good idea Billy, I will do that

The Pirelli and Shell decals could be sourced if it all goes wrong. Deffo scan in first!

Any cure for decals on a car that have turned yellow