Inktcracks in decals

[FordMustangGT]

I've a question about decals. Last time I notice in some of my decals inktcracks, like in the picture below. Does someone knows how this come? I must say the decals are a little bit old. 1 tot 1,5 years. Is this the reason or do you have some other explanation (maybe that I'm diong something wrong)?

[Police]

Thinn decal paper have this right away in 1/18 scale.
Gary

[FordMustangGT]

These are Bilbozo decals, I don't write it down right away, because I don't want to give Bill a bad name. But I think everyone knows here that Bill makes one of the best decals.

I use Micro Set and Sol to place the decals.

I say agian, the decals are 1 - 1,5 years old, I think that is the reason. But I was just curios what you guys think.

[Bilbozo]

Hi Gerwin:

Yes indeed they are my decals (looks like the NY/NJ Port Authority).  The decal paper has a gelatin film on top of backing paper which is water-based.  It will have a tendency to dry out over a number of years if not properly stored because the moisture will be removed with air exposure over long periods of time.  Although a very rare occurence, the gelatin may dry out and crack.  It seems to happen only on darkest colors on large scale decals which are really old.  It happens to all types of decal papers with a gelatin based film.

If the decals are fresh they never do that once on the car or at any time afterwards even if placed in direct sunlight. If anyone remembers a few years back, I had an issue with cracking and thin breaking with bad decal paper batches from my supplier at the factory...I ended up suspending production of all 1:18 & 1:24 decals, taking them off the market for 6 months and just supported 1:43 cars...because the decal paper was quite thin & dry and only suitable for small size decal applications. That decal paper situation hasn't really ever occurred since.

Over the last year or so we also are also printing with less heat, in order to keep the moisture in the gelatin instead of frying it out. I haven't had any cracking issues since then. Decal film is a tough beast to master...especially printing with heat.  Decal paper batches in the past were inconsistent because decal paper suppliers never tested it before selling it. Since the film is measured in microns thick it was very volatile.  I think if any Alps printers resulted in cracking, it would be more of an issue with the ink or overcoat rather than the gelatin decal paper since there is no heat involved.

I recommend storing them in sealed plastic bags (air tight to keep moisture in) with paper bond slip sheets in between so they don't stick together. This will allow them to be workable for years. A softening agent like Microsol or Microset can be added to your water to help prevent this as well.  Jeff Halpern also sells a wonder bottle called Microscale Liquid Decal Film.  It's a liquid form of gel you can spread over very old  dried up decals to bring them back to life.  Decals are like your skin...if it's not kept from drying out you get wrinkles and cracks over a long time (just ask my wife who fights that religiously !)  i hope this helps everyone.  Cheers - Bill Smith ( Bilbozo Decals )

[motorcade1]

Bill...

Thank you so much for stepping up to the "proverial plate" and educating us.  I especially like the tips on storing decals.  I personally re-wrap all my decals in a wax paper type material to protect them from sticking to each other.  I might just take that a step farther and put them into a "ziplock" type storage back to further protect them from drying out.  I have a rather sizable collection of decals and want them to last a long time.  Again, thanks for the insight as well as the timely tips.

Oh and one more thing....  I always re-coat my decals with Microscale Decal Film after they have dried onto the model in an effort to add further protection.  So far so good.  I also have some older (10 years old + ) diecast fire trucks that I have re-coated the decals as they actually started to flake off they were so dry.  The Microscale Decal Film seems to have worked there as well.  But then... Only time will tell....

Mark

[FordMustangGT]

Thanks for your reply, Bill.

I keep my decals in a closed box with the paper bond sheets between them.

[SFC_Allen]

Thanks for the tip, i used to keep mine in a small plastic bin with drawers but have since moved them to a ziplock bag and wax paper in between them. Earle