are they decals or paint?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me if the lettering and numerals that Athearn uses on their locomotives are decals or if they are somehow painted on? Most of them look like decals to me, but one unit that I got twelve or so years ago has kind of a fuzzy, bleeding appearance to the road numbers....it sure doesn't look like a decal. I want to change the numbers on a couple of them, and would like to know how to proceed. Any ideas? Thanks.

[thirdrail1]

Most model railroad cars and locomotives painted by the manufacturer usee neither paint nor decals for lettering and logos. The lettering is applied with a pad printer using a special ink. There are a number of ways to remove such lettering and numbering. One method is to use an eraser, another is to use decal solvent, a third is to use "Oops". Your best bet is to experiment with all three and see which does best on your particular model.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Gregg..it's an ink. I have used a fairly firm pencil eraser to remove it...an "ink" eraser is too hard, it will scratch or rub off paint.
regards/Mike