Any tips for Restoring adhesive strength of 90s 9V train stickers?

[jaesroe]

Hi,

I have recently start building 90's 9v trains series of 4564, 4558 and 4563 in misb condition.

They were amazing...such an awesome set in terms of design, colour scheme and building.

However, the sticker ahhh...since they have been kept under the seal for nearly 20~24 years some stickers' adhesive strength have gone or weak as some sticker sheet was bended in the box.

In particular, 4563's white thick stripe, I applied it yesterday night but already coming off from the surface. Also the thickness of this white vinyl sticker was a bit thicker than other train stickers.

So, my question is...Do you guys have any tip or suggestion to restore or improve adhesive of this stickers? I did some googling and some say that glue could work...but...not so sure...So I wonder you guys here at Traintech may have some similar experience and got any tip related this sticker adhesive strength issue.

Any tip or suggestion relate to this would be appreciated!!!

Thank you

[THERIZE]

I think some glue would be the best. Depends if you want to rebuild the trains.

[JopieK]

You could also buy replacements :)

[Steinkopf]

I have fixed a few stickers in the past by placing them onto sticky tape and pulling them off repeatedly, this has two benefits as it cleans off any gunk and dust that has got onto the back of the sticker over the years as well as reviving the adhesive.

[dr_spock]

A dab of white glue could hold it in place.

[engineer003]

I too have had the same problem with both these trains as well as other sets...like the Red Barron's Fokker Tri-plane. My wife, a scrap booker, suggested two solutions depending on the problem. I have stickers that have been applied but cracked over time, and I have unapplied stickers that have lost their stickiness. For already applied stickers I use a clear scrap booking tape that works well but you have to be careful on trimming the tape away. On new stickers I use a clear scrap booking glue that works great and does not show. As I am on vacation I cannot give you the brands and details, but these are available at any craft store like Michael's or AC Moore. I will post the details when I return home.

[jaesroe]

You could also buy replacements :)

Hi,

I sent a message to you Please have a read! :)

[JopieK]

For this sticker you could even use plain white vinyl although we print it with white (two layers) on transparent vinyl.

[Rail Co]

I have that exact same problem with my 4563 train sticker(the same one). I think just over time with the sticker being bent that sharply on that train for more than 20 years it just gets "tired" of sticking

I may pick up some replacements from you JopieK

-RailCo

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

I have fixed a few stickers in the past by placing them onto sticky tape and pulling them off repeatedly, this has two benefits as it cleans off any gunk and dust that has got onto the back of the sticker over the years as well as reviving the adhesive.

Great tip, I've to try this technique!

[Rumpelmuck]

I use liquid rubber. You can buy it in any stationary shop. It's a glue editors using to fix a news layout with preprinted news articles. (pls. excuse my bad english :-( ). Big advantage: You can remove it without any remains.

Edited June 19, 2015 by Rumpelmuck

[Legotom]

I'd try first what we in the UK call Pritt Stick (I think Americans would call it a glue stick). It's what children use for paper crafts. Not too aggressive, so it won't wreck the plastic the train is made from. I'd be very careful with stronger glues. Anything that has petrochemical based solvents in it might melt the plastic, so if try a bit on a plain brick before risking rare and valuable parts like trains.