I have the sweetest running P2K S1 ever manufactured but it is factory painted Missouri Pacific. I want to paint it some type of Cascade Green to model my fictitious shortline.
One of the things I love about the model is the fine detail that the shell has, including the applied lift rings and grab irons. I have seen numerous posts about soaking in pine sol, brake fluid or 91% alcohol and scubbing the paint off with a soft toothbrush. My problem is I am worried that using a toothbrush will destroy the lift rings, etc. Also, any hints on removing the handrails from this unit? They are wispy fine and I don’t think they will survive a paint stripping operation either.
Any tips are much appreciated.
Hello HtgGuy,
Your caution is understandable.
The handrails come off fairly easy when pulled out of their hole slots with a pair of tweezers or needle nose pliers.
Re: The lift rings. Some modelers take them out when repainting. My personal preference is not to remove them. The paint on the lift rings is very thin and new paint will bite into them. While soaking in alcohol, you can still gently scrub around them and even on top of them as the rings are in pretty tightly from the factory. Still, the key word is “gently.”[;)]
I’m stripping 2 P2K E7s. The lift rings will stay.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Antonio. I will have to try and work up the courage to take this project on. I didn’t think there was an easy way but it never hurts to ask. Especially appreciate the tips on the handrails. Any other hints on painting locos that might be useful? I have a cheap airbrush and have done a little painting on some rolling stock kits. Plan to use Model Flex or Polly Scale paint.
htgguy