I have some HO Walthers freight cars that I need to change the numbers on. I have most of the decals I need, but I am stumped on how to remove the factory lettering. I have tried the eraser trick with no luck. I have also tried the Micro-Sol trick with no luck also.
Any suggestions?
I’ve used non-acetone nail polish remover to remove letters, numbers and graphics on Athearn, Bachmann, Accu-Rail, MDC and AHM cars. Never tried it on a Walthers car. I use a cotton swab to to apply a little to the spot then scrub it lightly with the swab and wipe it away with a piece of paper towel.
Make sure it’s non-acetone. Nail polish remover that contains acetone will do strange and horrible things to your model.
I only have had luck with nail polish remover. Not sure if it was acetone free or not. I did dilute with isopropyl alcohol (70%) to about 20%. I started at 50/50 and worked my way up to about 80%.remover and 20% alcohol I used a damp Q tip and worked it around fairly tightly over the desired area but it comes fairly quickly. Rinse with water after and let it air dry - the paint under could still be soft so little sit for a day or two after. This will also work on the base color too so be careful and work quickly . I give it a quick over spray of a base color close to the original and seal it for new decals. As these are newer cars for my era so a very light weathering and they look very well. I’m doing this to my fleet of Walther woodchip cars and Bulkhead flats
I know some folks fear the nail polish remover but yet they have no problem using isopropyl alcohol as weathering medium and as a paint stripper. Same chemical different %. Same thing here, sorta. Here we are using at as paint stripper not a chemical bonder. The idea is to retard the action to a manageable level. As always though, start with a lower % of remover and work your way up as need and test in an area not visible - I used the under side.
Walthers pad printing seems to be thicker and tougher than their base paint. I tried a bunch of other ways with no luck. The closest was fine grit sand paper and wet sand it. It eventually took it off but it really tore up the base color
ratled
Walthers Solva-set works well. Put some on, let it sit for a minute or two, then go over the lettering you want to remove with a rubber pencil eraser. As soon as you start to feel friction, add more solvaset. If you keep doing it, pretty soon the lettering will dissolve and easily be erased, but the paint will remain untouched.
truthfully, I think a minute is too long, Solvaset can and will go after the paint finish under the decals, I tried it on a couple of walthers cars. Still prbably the easiest way to go though.
Floquil makes a product called ELO easy lift off paint and decal remover, its about 12.00 a can. I’ve used it and had great results on Kato locos, I used a Q-tip to remove the decals. Might like to give it a try, Jim.
Sorry it is made by Testors, Jim.
Floquil
Testors
Same thing for about 5 years now. Testors bought the Floquil / Pollyscale brands, but continues to market most of their products under the original brand name.
Edit: Just checked the Testors website. ELO is listed under the Floquil products, but the product photo clearly has the Testors logo on it.