Monogram Decals Problems

cg51 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:15 pm

Anyone having problems with them as far as decals cracking before you even slide them off the backing, I have tried everything I can think of. I have only had problems with the newer kits sheets for the most part, the only thing I have found that helps is to spray the sheet with decal film before using them, I have had nothing but trouble with them to the point that I may never use there decals again!

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:27 pm

Are they older kits? I find that if I get kits off of Ebay that have been sitting in someones closet for years..they do it to.

Ive always had to piece them back together.

cg51 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:18 pm

Yes Alot of my kits have been in the closet for a few years, maybe they are drying out a bit, Never thought about that.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:44 pm

you need to put a clear coat on before applying the decals. believe it or not the model surface is very rough, sliding the decal in place is like running it on sandpaper without clearcoat. try ordinary future brand floor wax. dries clear, & smooth with little shine.

cg51 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:00 pm

The problem is more when you try to slide it off the backing, I let it soak for 30 seconds or so then let it sit for about 30 seconds more, if i can't slide it easily i dip it again for a few seconds, the decals often come apart on the backing, I try never to slide the decal around on the model to much because your just asking for it to tear! I think whoever makes monograms decals does no spray enough clear coat on them

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:26 pm

if you trash the decals try squadronsignal.com for replacements / specialty decals. they are the best company for anything geared toward modelers.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sun Jan 07, 2007 1:59 am

MicroScale "Liquid Decal Film" is fantastic stuff. If I even suspect a decal may crack, I'll coat it with the stuff first. You can brush on a fairly thick layer (be sure to use a brush that's absolutely clean) and it almost disappears when it dries. Also, try using warm water when you soak the decals, and let them soak for several minutes if necessary..especially if they're old.

Mr. Friedman is right..you really need a nice, smooth surface for decals (I've been using Future for years..it's much less caustic than laquer and doesn't yellow.) A solvent solution like "Micro Sol" or "Solvaset" can also help them settle over surface details. I also second the recommendation for http://www.squadron.com/. They're probably the best "one stop shop" for modeling stuff..and have great prices and service, too.

As for Monogram decals, they've been notorious for their terrible quality. I don't know about the more recent kits (within the last ten years or so) but anything they produced from the early '80s through the mid '90s were unusable. They were extremely thick, and refused to lay down no matter how well the surface was prepped or what solvent was used.

Cheers!

Steve

cg51 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:35 am

Thanks for the ideas guys, I'm going to try a few things on the next model. Thanks

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:28 am

You can also put a thin coat of vaseline on the decals. This might soften them up some. Let them sit for a while after applying the vaseline.

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Monogram Decals Problems

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