Ultra Probe decals going yellow!!!

fireflashfive · 10-07-2009, 02:53 PM

There I was, really pleased with the progress on my SAW Ultra Probe lifeboat model. I managed to spray it neatly in Ford Diamond White and applied the JBOT decals. I created a whole load more decals on my inkjet printer and applied them too. Looking good I thought. To seal the model and the decals, I sprayed acrylic matt clear on to it. This toned everything down very nicely. I've left it alone for a week as I was on holiday and returned to it today.

Now the bad news, some of the JBOT decals have gone yellow!!!!!!! Specifically it is on the decals for the very fine panel areas near the red/grey stripes. I trimmed the decals as close as possible, but left the carrier film in the middle as it would not have been possible to cut these out. These areas have now gone a cream/yellow. I am so p*ssed off!!!

None of the decals I made on my printer are affected, so I can only assume the JBOT decals have reacted with the acrylic spray. Has anyone had a similar problem with theirs?

I'm not sure what to do just yet. I certainly don't want to strip the model and start again. I think my option is to strip back the middle section, create replacement decals on my printer and respray and reapply the decals to that area only.

A very fed up Doug!

**ostrein** · 10-07-2009, 03:26 PM

Hi Doug, sad to hear.

I must say I never had any problems with JBOT decals - more with my impatience

That's how I work with decals from now on:

I scan all decals and save them as jpg in case something goes wrong
wait at least (!!!) one week after painting before putting on decals
Sealing the decals using Microscale's Micro Liquid Decal Film before applying
Sealing all by using Microscale's Micro Coat Flat a week or so after applying the decals

Since using these products I never had problems again with decals (or white paint) going yellow

Good luck with your repair - I know how it feels when you think you're nearly finish and then you have to start again

**29390** · 10-07-2009, 03:44 PM

Why put Micro Coat Flat on the decal if your going to seal the whole model anyway? Is there any advantage in doing that?

DX-SFX · 15-07-2009, 11:56 AM

No, read again. You apply Micro decal film which is a glossy clear liquid designed for making your own decals. It reinforces thin ALPS printed decals making them slightly thicker, more like commercial kit decals and less prone to fold under or break while applying. Once applied, you spray the whole model with a matt coat.

I've no idea why the originals decals should yellow. I've never heard of that before. I can only think it's a reaction between whatever solvent is still evaporating out of the paint and the chemistry of the decal material. I'd tell JBOT just so he knows in case it becomes a recurring problem.

fireflashfive · 15-07-2009, 12:25 PM

Ostrein, a good suggestion there to scan the decals before I used them. Wish I had thought of that. So the next question is...does anyone have a scan of the decal sheet?

I can't order another set from JBOT as the website isn't accepting any new orders at the moment. I really want to get this finished!

Doug.

fireflashfive · 20-07-2009, 07:54 PM

Majorly big thanks to Jim Small for coming to my rescue on this. Cheers Jim!

Doug.

10-07-2009, 02:53 PM	#1
fireflashfive Eagle Pilot Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 524	Ultra Probe decals going yellow!!! There I was, really pleased with the progress on my SAW Ultra Probe lifeboat model. I managed to spray it neatly in Ford Diamond White and applied the JBOT decals. I created a whole load more decals on my inkjet printer and applied them too. Looking good I thought. To seal the model and the decals, I sprayed acrylic matt clear on to it. This toned everything down very nicely. I've left it alone for a week as I was on holiday and returned to it today. Now the bad news, some of the JBOT decals have gone yellow!!!!!!! Specifically it is on the decals for the very fine panel areas near the red/grey stripes. I trimmed the decals as close as possible, but left the carrier film in the middle as it would not have been possible to cut these out. These areas have now gone a cream/yellow. I am so p*ssed off!!! None of the decals I made on my printer are affected, so I can only assume the JBOT decals have reacted with the acrylic spray. Has anyone had a similar problem with theirs? I'm not sure what to do just yet. I certainly don't want to strip the model and start again. I think my option is to strip back the middle section, create replacement decals on my printer and respray and reapply the decals to that area only. A very fed up Doug!

10-07-2009, 03:26 PM	#2
ostrein Communications Officer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hanau, Germany Posts: 1,029	Hi Doug, sad to hear. I must say I never had any problems with JBOT decals - more with my impatience That's how I work with decals from now on: I scan all decals and save them as jpg in case something goes wrong wait at least (!!!) one week after painting before putting on decals Sealing the decals using Microscale's Micro Liquid Decal Film before applying Sealing all by using Microscale's Micro Coat Flat a week or so after applying the decals Since using these products I never had problems again with decals (or white paint) going yellow Good luck with your repair - I know how it feels when you think you're nearly finish and then you have to start again Last edited by ostrein; 15-07-2009 at 12:55 PM.

10-07-2009, 03:44 PM	#3
29390 Communications Officer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kent, United Kingdom. Posts: 1,329	Why put Micro Coat Flat on the decal if your going to seal the whole model anyway? Is there any advantage in doing that? __________________ "It's good, but it's not right" - Roy Walker To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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15-07-2009, 11:56 AM	#4
DX-SFX Chief Medical Officer Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 9,094	No, read again. You apply Micro decal film which is a glossy clear liquid designed for making your own decals. It reinforces thin ALPS printed decals making them slightly thicker, more like commercial kit decals and less prone to fold under or break while applying. Once applied, you spray the whole model with a matt coat. I've no idea why the originals decals should yellow. I've never heard of that before. I can only think it's a reaction between whatever solvent is still evaporating out of the paint and the chemistry of the decal material. I'd tell JBOT just so he knows in case it becomes a recurring problem.

15-07-2009, 12:25 PM	#5
fireflashfive Eagle Pilot Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 524	Ostrein, a good suggestion there to scan the decals before I used them. Wish I had thought of that. So the next question is...does anyone have a scan of the decal sheet? I can't order another set from JBOT as the website isn't accepting any new orders at the moment. I really want to get this finished! Doug.

20-07-2009, 07:54 PM	#6
fireflashfive Eagle Pilot Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 524	Majorly big thanks to Jim Small for coming to my rescue on this. Cheers Jim! Doug.