decal softner

anybody out there wants to know what i use to soften those overly thick and unbendable decals. well i have my own concoption in true alchemist fashion i devolped my own decal softner and my fellow clubmates seem to like it.

it is a mixture of 35% Acetic acid, CH3COOH pungent vinigary smell
25% isopropelene or rubbing alcohol clear not dyed
40 % distilled water (why distilled water? otherwise the chemicals in bottle or tap water will
react with the acid and will turn the mix red or dark brown or other colours )
before using check if too strong . on applying you will most probably get the scare of you life the decal
will look like the skin of an octagenarian rhino, the acid eating away the film leaving only the paint. once
again test strength before applying if too strong dilute with DISTILLED WATER.
alex

wow! that's a cool method ... and i even have everything handy! thanks for sharing alex!

For those of us who are chemically challenged. I suggest Champ's DECAL-SET. works in much the same way.

most probalby its the same solution, baring percentages. i made this post to help people who do not have hobby shops close by . take us maltese for example we have to import champs or micro sol set or similar items. since surface/sea mail is no longer available can you imagine the hassle of importing chemicals by air. what im doing is giving an easy solution which can easily be produced from products sold over the counter at your local chemist.
alex

Not only are you a real BigMek but you also have some MadDok genes in you

Good tip for those who like to play with chemical Would it be possible to use regular household vinegar instead of the Acetic Acid?

you're right Alex, Champs smells much like vinegar and acts on the decals in much the same way as you described. Scared the crap out of me the first time I used it.

I'm sure this is a great help to those who can't get Champs and other products shipped in.

Richard Marchand wrote:Not only are you a real BigMek but you also have some MadDok genes in you

Good tip for those who like to play with chemical Would it be possible to use regular household vinegar instead of the Acetic Acid?

no vinegar is too dilute and most probably would stain decal. but acetic acid is not so difficult to find most pharmacies and catering supplies stock it . this acid is not that dangerous it is irritant but not as potent as sulphuric or hydrochloric acids
alex

alex wrote:this acid is not that dangerous it is irritant but not as potent as sulphuric or hydrochloric acids
alex

Hehe, remind me when I was younger and was trying to build rockets. I would do some nice experiment with hydrochloric acid and other nice products in the kitchen when my mother was not there All went well until there was that nice explosion and the kitchen stone counter was covered with acid Hydrochloric acid and stone counter is not a good mix My mother was wondering why the counter surface was pitted out all over

we as you said acid and alkali (lime in stone) a sure bet for a violent reaction
did your mother ever find out?
alex

It took me a few years to admit my sins. But she said that she had her doubts about me all that time

Thanks Alex,

That is a new one on me. I'll burn it into my memory to use later. Where do you buy Acetic Acid?

Thanks much Bob

Bob Letterman wrote:Thanks Alex,

That is a new one on me. I'll burn it into my memory to use later. Where do you buy Acetic Acid?

Thanks much Bob

phamacies , chemists ,catering supplies its quite common in catering just like citric or tartaric acid we use it mainly to bleach royal icing for cakes

alex

Hehehehehe

Takes me back to my Chemistry lab days , " And what he thought was H2O was H2SO4 "

Jenny