I have several cars with factory paint stamped markings that I would like to modify. I remember reading an article somewhere that small markings could be removed with a common pencil eraser. I can't lay my hands on that article at the moment, so can you guys help with advice about the best way to remove/change markings without removing or damaging the overall paint job?
Mike Thomasson
Austin
An eraser on a Bowser switcher did not take any of the lettering off in the gooves of the hood doors, but it did take the paint of the high spots, like the hinges and vent louvers.
There are several threads about removing factory paint or stampings. Nothing works on everything. I've read about using Microsol, Solvaset, an xacto blade and some people say it works for them.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Mike,
I think there are a number of factors involved. I'm sitting here using an eraser to attack the lettering job on an old Walthers ALCO-Leslie rotary plow body. If I listen closely I can hear it laughing at me. Used alcohol (granted, only 70%) earlier this week with no results. For this project I may be grateful that the lettering appears to be directly applied to the plastic and not over an over-all paint job. I will say that both methods have managed to remove the semi-matte appearance. I'm obviously moving in the wrong direction.
John
I'd first try decal solvent, mainly because it is very unlikely that it will damage the paint. The longer you let it sit, the better. So far, it hasn't worked for me, but I think I'll still keep trying, because the alternatives are more work.
I've used an X-acto blade. If you make no mistakes, it works quite nicely. IF. If you're planning on decaling over the spot, you probably should overspray with clear gloss, first.
Some people have used sandpaper. I'm sure the previous comments apply there, too. That's a bigger, meaner eraser method, in a way.
You COULD just overspray the whole thing with color-paint. There will probably be a "shadow" of the old lettering, though.
Alcohol CAN damage the paint. I tried using it to remove the "Evergreen" lettering on a Walthers refrigerated container. It removed the paint. But not the lettering. Swell!
I once tried romoving the "Texas and Pacific" from a couple of Lionel Alcos. I did, using the X-acto blade. But I found out they must have used some kind of "hot press", because the lettering was actually indented into the plastic just a bit.
Quelle pain, as they say in French.
Ed
Well, I finally found time yesterday to give this project a shot and it was very successful. A dab of decal setting solution on a q-tip and then gentle work with a half-century old typewriter eraser (try finding one of those if you don't already have one.) The old eraser has been well used in place of a Bright Boy for track cleaning over the years and is hard as a rock. The only underlying paint issue was a very slight dulling in the area. I used a dry q-tip to pickup any residual liquid/trash. a light weathering job will cover any evidence that the offending markings were there.
Mike
I'm glad you were successful!
I did use sand paper to remove the numbers on my Tropicana reefers but being as they are white I was not too concerned with paint damage.
Joe Staten Island West