Removing old decals (that weren't applied properly)?

[StraightSilver]

Hi everybody,

 

I know decal topics are about as common as "which are the best brushes?" but this is with a slight twist... :)

 

Back in the days before I discovered Micro Set and Micro Sol I used to struggle with decals and used to avoid using them wherever possible (preferring to freehand) but when I did use them they looked awful but I made do.

 

I have a fully painted Cadian army and the paint job is absolutely fine but the decals are shockingly bad and I want to remove them and do them properly.

 

So they were "affixed" (badly) with nothing more than tap water and faith in the Emperor....

 

I have tried re-wetting them and soaking them off but they just won't budge. What's more frustrating is that they weren't varnished so most have chipped or started to flake off but I just can't remove them fully or cleanly.

 

So I didn't use any sort of decal softener, decal fixer or varnish but want to remove the decals from infantry and tanks and re-do them properly.

 

Are there any products that would make it easier to remove them without damaging the paint work? Could I use decal softener to get them off? The decals have been on for about 7 years..... 

[Major_Gilbear]

Hehe, yeah, I answered this one just recently:

 

To remove the decals you have, you will need some adhesive (but not masking) tape:

 

> Apply the tape carefully over the decal, leaving a piece that you can grip after sticking it over the decal; I'd fold the excess tape over on itself to make a little tab or tail that won't stick the model.

 

> Burnish the tape with the back of your fingernail over the decal, ensuring it's well adhered.

 

> Gripping the tail of the tape you left when you stuck it down, pull sharply across the decal.

 

This technique, which is a bit like waxing (!), is very effective at removing decals.

 

Alternatively, if they are *only* stuck on with water, you could try soaking the models in warm (not hot) water for ten or twenty minutes. They should soak right off again, although you might find something like a big clean drybush helpful for "encouraging" any stubborn bits off.

 

Beyond that... Sanding with very fine (800+ grit) sandpaper, over-painting, or using something like 100% Isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swap to carefully remove them. Of course, you will need to re-do paintwork locally afterwards with these methods.

[Arkhanist]

Decals have a water-activated glue IIRC. Definitely try the warm water method first to get off what you can. I'd then try putting some baby oil on the decals and let it sit for a few minutes, then rubbing them with you thumb, graduating to a sponge for really tough ones. I've had good success getting stickers off of painted surfaces using that method. (it's amazing the tricks you pick up when you have toddlers...) You might lose a little paint, but less than from harsher methods!

[GawFang]

I would use Microsol to soften them up and then remove them with a wet brush.

[Dantay VI]

I had a similar issie, and was advised to get some cellotape and then rub it down hard on the decal, then rip the tape off.

 

A bit like waxing for your mini's :D

 

It worked really well for me, but I had a layer of varnish over the paint to protect it.

 

I would be very careful with this technique, incase it took the paint off.

[StraightSilver]

Cheers guys, all very helpful suggestions.

 

I would never have thought of using tape but somebody in another forum suggested the same thing so will give that a go.

 

And would also never thought of baby oil, lol, but will give that a go.

 

To be honest the army in question is 8 years old now and the painting is more than serviceable but I know now I can do better so not the end of the world if I lose some paint as it gives me an excuse to redo bits of them.