Removing Reporting Marks From Athearn Models (and others)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have several Chessie System 86’ Auto Boxes, all from Athearn, all with the same reporting marks. I have decals to change out some of the numbers, but wanted to ask what is the best (if any) way to lift or take off the stock number? Is there something/a technique out there that somebody has that’s been effective, or am I going to have to tape the whole car and then try to airbrush a matching color over and then slightly weather? Any help would be appreciated!!
Cheers,
John

Chessie’s Michigan Division - the cat’s OTHER merchandise money maker

2

John,
On Athearn BB,(Blue Box) cars/locos this works well. Take a pencil eraser and erase the number/reporting mark etc and change it to what you want. I’ve changed numbers on many an Athearn BB this way. This has worked on several other makes but not universally. It depends a lot on the paint mixture used the day that car was painted.

3

I’ve seen numerous prototype examples where the whole car was dirty or faded, but there was a tiny rectangle where the paint was ‘fresher’ because the number had been repainted. So if you were to blot-out the entire original number and cover it with your own it would still resemble something in the real world.

4

Carey and Ken,
Thanks for the advice. Ken, I have done this with some of my other models, but since the car has a rebuild date of 9-85 and I am modeling early 1986, that would be tough to do. I am doing that technique on some of my older 86-footers. Carey, GREAT ADVICE on removing the marks. There is still some underscore from where the color was stamped on, but once I put the new decals on and add a light touch of dirt to the whole car, no one will be the wiser! THANKS!!!

John

Chessie’s Michigan Division - the cat’s OTHER merchandise moneymaker

5

John heres a method i used on roundhouse bulkhead flats i use 91% isopropyl alcohol straight and a qtip and a little elbow grease that worked good for me

hope this helps

6

Another thing you can do is scrub it with a Q-tip soaked in Floquil paint thinner, but don’t do it for too long!
If even that doesn’t do it, acetone, though if left on too long will wreck the plastic, will get off the most stubborn paint or decals.
Trainboy