Decals over white paint

[Joaquin]

Hi all,

I'm planning to build several kits with white colour paint. In my experience before I have got yellowing of the decals film after months that really ruin the finish.
Is it any method, varnish or product to prevent that? Some diecast models I have don't show this problem after years on the vitrine

Thank you and best wishes for 2024

[Sennafan]

The issue I remember was never use to older testors style clear coats over white as they would yellow the white, especially the lacquer clear

I think it is the clear that’s the issue, maybe the decals themselves too, UV light can damage finishes too, the new two part clears, I haven’t seen an issue yet

[indycals]

Die casts use Tampo printing - totally different. The carrier film of the paper you are using is the first contributor - any clear coats you put over it would be the next. But it it's ONLY happening where the decal is, then it's the decal film.

[Joaquin]

Die casts use Tampo printing - totally different. The carrier film of the paper you are using is the first contributor - any clear coats you put over it would be the next. But it it's ONLY happening where the decal is, then it's the decal film.

If the problem is oxidation or degradation because of oxygen, applying clear varnish over decals should help to protect film from yellowing, right?

[JamesB]

Michael explained it perfectly. It’s the gel like carrier film that yellows. You can see also on not used decals no matter how well stored. It yellows as the Humbrol clear did
Better solution what I do : decals with white carrier film

[Joaquin]

Michael explained it perfectly. It’s the gel like carrier film that yellows. You can see also on not used decals no matter how well stored. It yellows as the Humbrol clear did
Better solution what I do : decals with white carrier film

I haven't any doubt about it's the carrier film that yellows. Final question was what happens when sealing the decal with a good modern clear varnish that doesn't yellow after time.
On the other hand it sounds interesting to use white carrier film. Have you fixed the problem with this?

I have big interest because I have a good collection of Chaparral resin kits. Only take a look to my avatar and you will see I am a big fan of these cars and don't want to suffer a big disappointment in future with decals. Those are my treasure models and want to get the most perfect finish I can produce

[stubeck]

I think many of the more modern two part clear coats don't have the issue, but I'd also remind everyone that real race cars tend to look pretty terrible after a number of races, and especially after a number of years.

What I would recommend to everyone is to get a good quality scanner (2400 dpi or higher) and scan the decal sheet right after they open the kit. This is the hardest part to reproduce on a car, and then to store that file in a few different places. If in the future there is an issue, you can always redo the body and print the decals again.

[CK]

I have a Revell 1/25 AAR CART car that I finished at least 15 years ago. It is always in a display case not in direct sunlight.

I just check, some of the decals start to show a little bit of yellow but one big one on the side pot is still pretty clear. The kit was sealed with Future floor wax. I remember some big decals were not adhering to the white body and I washed away the glue and use Future as glue.

I suspect that some glue will yellow after some time. It may not be just the transparent carrier film that turns yellow.