The waxed paper protective cover that came with the decal sheet in a 20 year old kit (The Matchbox 1/32 Tiger Moth) has become stuck to the front surface of the sheet.The decal colour comes off with the waxed paper if I simply tear it free. Any ideas, please?
It didn't work on my Heinkel He 70's decals. I let them dry with the wax paper still on then took a brand new pencil eraser and rubbed the shreds off. Use a light touch and no damage to your decals should ensue.
Here is another method. Use the old fashioned Lighter Fluid (Naphta). It can also be purchased at paint supply stores as Naphta (it is used as paint thinner for certain paints).
Naphta will dissolve the parafin which is in the wax paper. If the paper is really stuck, take an eyedropper and drop some Naphta onto the wax paper. It will soak into it and it will loosen it. Once you can peel it off you should wipe the remaining parafin from the decal sheet. I just take a paper towel moistened with Naphta and wipe the entire decal sheet clean several times using a clean side of the paper towel.
Don't worry if you see the Naphta soaking into the decal paper backing. The decal glue is water souluble and Naphta isn't water. It won't dissolve the decal glue. Just let it air dry and you should have a clean decal sheet.
I can't guarantee that Naphta won't damage the paint on your decal but from my own experience if done quickly and lightly there should be no damage. I've used this method several times and I never had any problems. I don't recall which specific decals I used this on. I think one was a Revell of Germany kit.
I know that alcohol could dissolve decal paint but again, Naphta is a different kind of solvent.
I should also mention that you should consider wearing rubber gloves and work in a well ventilated area. It is also highly flammable (it is a lighter fluid after all) ! ;-)
This is all the common sense stuff (which lawyers think people lack nowadays)!
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