anyway to keep old decals down?
 

I have just bought a top flite p-40 and dont think that it has been flown. It is a couple of years old and the decals are starting to peel. Is there any tip to keep them down like a clear coat or something like that. thank you for the help

RE: anyway to keep old decals down?
 

Are these decals on top of Monokote or is it a silk and dope job? Does the plane have a nitro motor so you need a fuel-proof fix, or is it electric?
I think Top Flite first started selling a P-40 kit about 30 years ago, so some more details are going to be needed before someone can provide you with a meaningful answer.

RE: anyway to keep old decals down?
 

I have put clear Monocote over a few decals. Seems to work.

Bill

RE: anyway to keep old decals down?
 

Gee, maybe 30 years ago. What kind of glue did they use then? They tell me the early glues crystallized after a few years, and it was not safe to put one of these built models back into the air. Besides getting the decals reattached, I would inspect all the glue joints for strength. How difficult is it to keep a P-40 from nosing over on landing? Get back to us how the test flight goes.

Rich S.

RE: anyway to keep old decals down?
 

The p-40 is a gold edition kit so it is not 30 years old. The person I bought from told me it was a little under 2 years old. It is painted cloth. It is a 4-stroke glow. I might try the clear monokote idea. I hope this helps. The peeling isnt bad I just wanted to keep them down before I strarted running the engine. It is a beutifull plane and well built. Thank you

RE: anyway to keep old decals down?
 

Ok Traxx, it is good to read that the plane is only 2 years old, and built well. It was suggested to me to use fingernail clear polish to seal the edges of my decals,BUT you have painted cloth covering; so not sure this would work ok. Maybe you can find out what paint was used, and use a clear paint of the same mfg just around the edges. I would be careful about using a covering iron against a painted cloth cover job. If you feel adventurous, locate a spot near the tail wheel with suggested paints to see if there is a bad, or good reaction from the spot touch with the end of a cotton swab. Let us know what you found that works. A 4 stroke engine will really sound nice in this model. Good luck on your first Test Flight.

Rich S.

RE: anyway to keep old decals down?
 

got an o.s 90 surpass and look for some pics in the warbird section in a few weeks.

RE: anyway to keep old decals down?
 

Try using something like RC56 canopy glue that dries clear. Just a small amount under the edge that is trying to come up. CA works well but there is always a danger of getting the CA where you don't want it or need it to be. A drop of CA would be very hard to remove from a nice painted finish.