Technical Any tips on how to preserve old window decals?

Have a rare old (1950's) decal that is on the inside of my front windshield (3 colors, looks like old waterslide type).

 

Could probably be stabilized by spraying clear over it.

 

Or put a clear Vinyl sticker over it slightly bigger than the OG sticker.

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Do not clean it with any Windex type product EVER.

 

That's what I would do.

 

You can go to a craft/artist supply store and buy some Gesso (I think I have the name right) it is a milky white material that drys clear and is a water base acrylic material that will preserve the decal.

You just brush it on. HRP

 

I have seen that milky white craft store stuff also called "podge " used for painting puzzles .

 

use that 2" wide clear package tape, works great.

 

Old water transfer style decals tend to yellow with time and I would be very careful putting anything over the top of it such as a clear or any type of spray because it just might dissolve the image and make it look really bad.

Even when you find an old water transfer decal that has never been off it's paper backing trying to remove it can sometimes can be a disaster because they some times float off in water in about 50 pieces.

Many of the old water transfer decals I have found that were never taken of their paper backing are curled up and have some had pin holes from being placed on walls. Most have that aged yellow or tan look to them.

Keeping old decals in perfect condition means keeping them in a cool dark place.

I have had collectors send old water transfer decals to me from the 50's that were in remarkable condition for their age and had been well cared for over the years.

Just my opinion. Jimbo

 

I have a few very old water slide decals that I plan to put on the inside of my widows. One is 1 1927 Standard Oil decal. I have read that spraying the back with clear spray paint will help prevent them from breaking up. Will that work?

 

doesnt it say right on the decal to brush on varnish?

 

Spraying anything on them is playing with fire in my book.

It might work but if you ruin the decal your going to want to kick yourself right in the rear end !!

Maybe some decals did say to brush on varnish back in the day but just getting it to float off the backing paper in one piece might be a problem.

Keep in mind where talking about something over 50 years old !!

Just my opinion. Jimbo