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• Quick question. What is the trick on putting old decals in the sunlight. Do you need to put them outside or does it work thru a window, *NM*
  • Inside, watch for condensation with single pane windows though *NM*
    • I taped it to the inside. I guess that may be a bad idea. *NM*
      • Maybe put it in a small plastic bag, then tape that to the glass? *NM*
  • I'm ignorant on this subject. What is the reason for putting old decals in the sunlight? *NM*
    • The theory is that the ultraviolet rays "bleach" away the yellowing that commonly occurs to the carrier on old decal sheets... My experience is that it doesn't really work. *NM*
      • Sunlight will also beach out some of the color. Plus, since so much modern window glass blocks UV rays, it might not work at all for you. I tried it, and it did not work. *NM*
        • IF it works (never tried it), might a UV light (for indoor plants) work? *NM*
          • And, didn't UV light cause the yellowing in the first place? Always sounded like "snake oil" to me *NM*
            • I just looked it up, and yes, UV causes "photo-oxidation", which can result in light-colored plastic yellowing over time. I guess it makes sense, since the decal film is a type of plastic. *NM*
            • I’ve had good results whitening yellowed plastic with a UV light. However, you need to apply a concentrated peroxide gel solution used for hair bleaching on the plastic for it to work. *NM*
              • To work most effectively, that is. *NM*
                • Blondes have more fun, just sayin' *NM*
    • To bleach old yellow decals. *NM*