Has anyone successfully removed decals from a project and then re-used them?
I have a finished car I am not satisfied with the paint color. It is already decaled.
I was thinking of a soak in water to see if that will loosen them. I think using a decal solvent would only soften and/or wrinkle them, but not release them.
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I have never tried to do that....I am curious though, what are you going to do with the decal once you get it off, while you’re repainting the car? ........Pat
I highly doubt it, would be interesting to know if it works.
I tried to remove a decal that had been Microsolved. Nothing would touch it.
Even if not set with Solvaset, you wouldn't get it off in big enough pieces to re-use. Buy new decals - it is getting easier to get them made.
If the car hasn't been clear coated I've used masking tape to pull them off. Just take a small piece of tape, cover part of the decal, and pull the tape off. Might take a few tries. Once part of the decal comes off, the rest will lift of easily. No chance of reusing then though.
Ken
I don't see any way of reusing them, it's hard enough to use them once. 
I’m with you, John, decal installation is right up there with lying on your back and soldering bus wires directly above you as a favorite job!!
Peter
Chris
I would try the water soak, as it is the safest on the decal..but add a surfactant to the water (such as "Photoflow" or "Water Wetter") to help the water seep under the decal. All this assumes you have not sealed the decal. If you have, then MAYBE running a very sharp #11 blade around the decal edge will help allow the water to get under.
As you might have guessed, I have never tried this. So congratulate me if it works. And don't blame me if it does not
John
It is very hard to do. You might make it work if y ou do the soak as suggested and then place back on a decal sheet very carefully. I think to reuse you have to do it very soon or they shrivel up.
Usually the older decals are so fragile they just pull apart when trying to lift.
Let then soak until loose.
If you accomplish that, immediately rush out and buy lottery tickets in every one running in your state!
John, thanks for the tip about photoflow. Forgot all about it from my darkroom days.
These decals are not that old. Parts of them are quite large, so this may be an exercise in frustration. We'll see.
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