Removing Decals From On30 Rolling Stock

[steveb919]

My On30 layout is used for operations.  I need each piece of rolling stock to have a unique number.  Not a problem with same number on different road names but it is a problem with the same road name and same number.  I would like to put on my own Railroad Roman numbers but I need to remove the factory numbers without destroying the finish on the freight cars.  Anyone done this and how?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Steve B.

[SideTracked]

Hi Steve,

I've refinished several Bachmann locos and cars. It may be considered sacrilege, but I found the easiest way to remove the existing graphics is with automotive brake fluid. It's notorious for damaging paint; but, most of the Bachman equipment has the color in the plastic. I soak a Q-tip and work with a circular motion.

Do not over do the process. When the graphic has been removed, the Q-tip  and the area will still look milky. Now it's time to rinse with clean brake fluid followed by a soapy wash. I remove the graphics because I want a smooth surface before I air brush a fresh finish. It works for me, but you will probably want to make some tests first.

The Q-tip rubbing may put a little gloss on the graphic area, which is good for bonding your new graphic. Afterward, be prepared to hit it with a flattening agent. I use matte clear Krylon because it comes in big cans.

Good luck
Pete

[ebtnut]

I've had pretty good luck with a product called "Goof-off".  It is available in most home supply and big hardware stores.  Work it about the same way as Pete suggests for the brake fluid.

[ebtnut]

Incidentally, the lettering on the stock Bachmann equipment (and most all other model equipment) is not decals, but a type of ink, that is usually applied by a special rubber stamp pad. 

[BKJ]

Incidentally, the lettering on the stock Bachmann equipment (and most all other model equipment) is not decals, but a type of ink, that is usually applied by a special rubber stamp pad. 

If it is ink, then I would try to use ammonia on it with a Q-Tip. I use ammonia to clean dried ink off of fountain pens that I use and restore.

Less caustic than brake fluid but may not work as well.

Just a thought!

[jonathan]

Steve,

I do HO, but my Bachmann equipment has stamped numbers, like others have mentioned.

This is outside the box, but I had pretty good luck using fingernail polish remover (smells terrible).  Using a toothpick, I dipped just a TINY bit onto the toothpick and rubbed ever so gently on the number to be removed.  It took about 10-15 minutes per number, but the paint underneath was not damaged (at least not visible to the naked eye).

Regards,

Jonathan

[SideTracked]

BKJ,

I have a Spectrum "Thomas Kinkade" decorated 2-6-0 that I'm about to strip in preparation for a standard color scheme. Out of curiosity, I just tried some laundry ammonia, and it didn't do anything. Perhaps something more concentrated would work, but I don't want anything stronger in the house. The graphics have some thickness to them, so I suspect some sort of paint as opposed to ink.

The main reason I started using brake fluid was that I'd just changed some brakes and had a large container of the stuff, and I didn't have any Goof-off. You know what they say about necessity and the mother of invention and all that stuff. 

Pete

[hminky]

If you are going to strip plastic use chameleon:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/category_s/2081.htm

I have stripped "chinese" plastic with brake fluid and it went brittle.

To remove printing from Bachmann On30 freight cars:

Floquil Polly Scale ELO Paint Remover

The lettering can be sanded off the passenger cars with 2000 grit paper and water.

The lettering is pad printed.

But suit yourself
Harold

[mabloodhound]

Great link Harold.   Gonna' be my choice in the future.   Remember, fingernail polish remover is lacquer thinner and will 'eat' plastic.

[Woody Elmore]

I thought nail polish remover was acetone based - still not good with plastics.

[El Loco]

I have heard of useing Pine Sol on a Q Tip rubbing the pad printing until the print lifts.  I havent tried it, but from what Ive been told it works like a champ.
I have heard of using Goof Off as it does the same but better.
Chameleon, Oh yeah!  The paint remover of paint removers!

[hminky]

I found the only thing to take off the lettering effectively was the ELO. I tried everything else discussed on the web and it removed more paint than the lettering.



Colorado and Southern Herald

Harold

[El Loco]

Harold please refresh my fading memory, ELO stands for???
Thanks buddy!

[rrjTooele]

ELO stands for Easy Lift Off.

http://www.ehobbies.com/flo542143.html

Good luck.

[hminky]

I have my article with ELO back on the net at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/frt_lettering_removal/

and passenger cars at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/passenger_car_lettering/

Thank you if you visit
Harold