Removing Decals

[JMac]

I was working on a Revell 1:144 F-18/CF-188 kit. I tried to rush the build and I totally, fully and completely wrecked the decals. I'd like to remove them but leave the Vallejo paint in place. My first attempt with tape didn't work so good. Suggestions?

 

[Dusky]

I'm not sure what will work and leave the Vallejo in place, but I've heard you can use MicroSol to soften and remove decals. I know that alcohols will remove Vallejo.

 

[Ravhin]

I've used mr hobby decal softer thingy for this, but even though I'm pretty sure it's safe to use on Mr hobby acrylics I'm not sure about Vallejo.

Maybe just plain water would be enough to soften them and then just using some cotton/tape/blu tack to remove them ?

 

[JMac]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I did try some Mircoset but they wouldn't budge. I may have to resort to just stripping the paint, decals and all

That would be ok if I could get a second set of decals. I might have to try and contact Revell.

 

[Dusky]

It might be a typo, but I think MicroSol is the one you want to use and not MicroSet.

Another option is sanding them off.

 

[JMac]

The Microset bottle has the text "decal remover" at the bottom, but now that you mention it might as well give the Microsol a try - nothing to really lose on this one...

a picture from somebody else's bench

Sanding probably won't work out so good the areas are very small and access is limited.

 

[Dusky]

Ahh, indeed it does say Decal Remover. I always thought people used MicroSol to remove decals since it softens decals and maybe they are easy to scrape off when soft.

 

[Dusky]

Now I'm all confused. Microscale's site says to use MicrolSol and offers a few techniques which may help.
http://www.microscale.com/FAQ.htm

 

[JMac]

Thanks for the link. I'm just trying out the Microsol right now. Also I've put in a request to Revell for replacement decals (but the website warns it could be unto 3 months wait).

I'll let everyone know how it goes...

 

[JMac]

OK - soaking a decal in Microsol and gently rubbing the softened decal with a quality eraser will remove the decal.

I however was a little too vigorous, and due to the size of the model I could not apply the eraser to all the surfaces, and getting the decal residue out of very fine panel lines is not easy either.
End result; damaged the under lying paint layers. I'll strip the paint/decals completely and try again from square one.

If you are considering this method; works best on larger flat surfaces that do not have a lot of raised/recessed details or panel lines.

 

[Grendels]

This video has a good tip on removing decals, and it is right at the beginning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBBvIS2KRMg'

scotch tape!

 

[Glorfindel]

Duct tape!

 

[JMac]

Thanks for the tips / link Grendels and Glorfindel. I had originally tried tape ( masking and the scotch tapes - sorry no duct tape however :). But the decals stayed firmly in place. The paint and decals are sitting in some de-greaser being stripped from the plastic right now.