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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*
              • Over time UV can damage models left outside as garden railroaders will discover. Plastic track pieces get brittle without extra ingredients mixed in the plastic. I've seen in pictures model cars with clear plastic items turned yellow. *NM*
    • To bleach old yellow decals. *NM*