Just bought a really gorgeous 1972 Raleigh International in fantastic shape except the "Carlton" decal on the seat tube is dry and flaking. Any way to preserve it? I think I have used clear nail polish in the past, is that my best bet. Don't want to put anything on it to make it worse or damage the paint (like certain clearcoats)
Any suggestions?

I have a bike with a similar problem. I haven't done anything to remedy the problem yet, but I'm curious of any options that BFers may have. Please post!

Good question WT. I'm curious too. I posted a similar thread many months ago, regarding preserving the 531 decal on my Gitane. Many here thought I was nuts for wanting to coat it with something. But it is cracked and starting to disintegrate. Though one member suggested clear lacquer was the worst thing I could try, I'm not so sure. The guy down at the local hobby shop suggested clear modeling lacquer for use over newly applied model airplane decals. I tried it and it worked, though not on my 531 decal. That said, I think I'd use one of the modeling clear acrylic paints made by Model Master or Testor's, etc. At your own risk, of course. I still haven't worked up the guts to try it on my Gitane.

OK WTG. You inspired me. Just went down and applied a thin coat of Testor's Model Master gloss clear Acrylic, water based, to my 531 decal. Seems to work just fine.

I have seen suggestions of using Copal Varnish to cover flaking and lifting older decals, but I have also read that real copal varnish is not available. The acrylic sounds like a good option.

Genuine Copal resin varnishes are hard to come by. Maybe in some artist supply stores still. I don't think the water based acrylic model paint is going to be as durable as, say, a real varnish. Then again, I'm too afraid to try varnish on my decals. Model Master seemed to dry crystal clear, and very quickly. Just a light "binder" coat to protect from further degradation, I guess.

I just learned a whole lot more about "Copal" than I wanted to know. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copal

Interesting though. I think I may have a chunk of this stuff around somewhere.

Might try some Liquitex Gloss Medium & Varnish. Its water based acrylic (plastic).

Or get a replacement sticker from cyclomondo on ebay.

Rootboy, Is that Model Master a spray or brush on? Does it change the look of the gloss? If spray did you spray on any painted areas? Do those areas show a different gloss than the original paint?

I tried this stuff, found at a Craft Mart store. Artists varnish, acrylic, satin finish. Looks good so far. I don't know how it'll hold up in the weather, UV, etc. It's designed to protect paintings from UV, though. We'll see - but really didn't have much to lose - as I was losing those decals regardless. I just applied it at the loose and ragged edges.