Looks like ‘everyone’ is talking about stripping and repainting models. I want to know about changing the numbers.
I have a Blueline RSD15 in the blue and yellow Santa Fe that I need to renumber to the correct 800 series (for my era) from the 9800 series they come painted with. I do have the decals, but how do I get the old cab numbers off with out destroying the paint underneath?
And while I am at it, how do I change the numbers in the lit number boards?
Thanx
Phil
I painted over the old numbers and decaled the new atop the paint after it dried. Works if you can match the paint. In my case a jar of Boston and Maine blue matched the Athearn factory paint on a bluebird GP38 perfectly. The brush painted over spot is undetectable.
Oh…it turns out this subject is different than I thought it would be. I figured this would be my chance to show my brilliance in how I took the same model of rolling stock, (in one case, I have FOUR Athearn SP boxcars all numbered the same)—and made the ONES into FOURS, and the THREEs into EIGHTS, with minor ease, and a toothpick of white paint.
(a la Emily Lutulla on Saturday Night Live, with her “What’s all this fuss about violins on tv?”--------> NEVER MIND)
Hello…I have had great success by using 3M auto scratch remover on a wooden Q-tip. This equates to a 1500 grit rubbing compound.This method is technique sensitive-rub lightly and check your progress often. I have re-numbered Kato, Atlas and Athearn with good results. After cutting through the lettering, the compound leaves a very smooth and polished surface for the application of new numbers, followed by a coat of Dullcoat applied by a Pasche airbrush. As for the numberboards, I paint them black or white and apply the numbers that correspond. I don’t worry about lighting them. Good Luck and have fun!!
I’ve had good luck using a Staedtler Mars Plastic eraser. Keep a gentle pressure as you rub, and you’ll avoid doing damage to the paint underneath.