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Joe, how do I go about removing an after market decal without damaging the original factory paint?

Well, if it;s a proper decal, it should be a water-slide transfer. On that basis, I would expect it to loosen its grip on the model when fully wetted. From many years experience of removing dried cat sick from a variety of floor coverings, I have found covering the offending area with a single sheet of sopping-wet kitchen parer for 20 to 30 minutes to be most efficacious!

Idris wrote:Well, if it;s a proper decal, it should be a water-slide transfer. On that basis, I would expect it to loosen its grip on the model when fully wetted. From many years experience of removing dried cat sick from a variety of floor coverings, I have found covering the offending area with a single sheet of sopping-wet kitchen parer for 20 to 30 minutes to be most efficacious!

Thanks Hugh I will try the kitchen paper technique when I receive this model in the post.

60's and 70's plastic model kits had waterslide decals and it was recommended to use warm water soaking to release the decal from its backing card ready to slide onto the model. Warm water should be OK for the reverse of this process.

After market chemical applicatins can be purchased but I have not used these myself so would be wary of applying it to Lesney (and other diecast metal models), for decal removal.

Ghosthunter.

If they don't soak off, drop me an email and I'll let you know about stronger options.

Tinman wrote:If they don't soak off, drop me an email and I'll let you know about stronger options.

Thanks Joe

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:60's and 70's plastic model kits had waterslide decals and it was recommended to use warm water soaking to release the decal from its backing card ready to slide onto the model. Warm water should be OK for the reverse of this process.

After market chemical applicatins can be purchased but I have not used these myself so would be wary of applying it to Lesney (and other diecast metal models), for decal removal.

Ghosthunter.

I will try this when I receive the model. Thanks Kevin

There are specific hobby products for softening decals during application that work equally well in softening and enabling removal of old decals. The products are microset and microsol. The former being less strong than the latter. Usage will take time and multiple applications use of a relatively stiff hobby ain't brush in forcing the liquid under the decal edge and lifting it gradually is the way to go.

Good luck

Dave

RSSierra wrote:There are specific hobby products for softening decals during application that work equally well in softening and enabling removal of old decals. The products are microset and microsol. The former being less strong than the latter. Usage will take time and multiple applications use of a relatively stiff hobby ain't brush in forcing the liquid under the decal edge and lifting it gradually is the way to go.

Good luck

Dave

Test in an unseen area first, some of the newer paints don't hold up so well to these.

Good advice Joe, I've used on vintage Dinky and Corgi with no dramas but the paint is extremely robust on these.