The 70% rubbing alcohol is not very effective, but I found the 99% available here is Canada works quite well. I understand in the US the available stronger formulation may be only 90%.
I tried it all. Microsol, rubbing alcohol etc. I don't know why but I could not get them to work.
The only thing that I found that works is Testors ELO. It woeks great and it doesn't damage the plastic at all.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/297293.aspx
In the cited thread, 2nd reply, see what Dave Nelson discusses about using tortillions.
I tried it, and posted the final comment in that thread. Works great! check it out. Dan
Another trick to try uses tp, Microsol and Q-tips. Place the tp on the model. Using the Q-tip wet the tp and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then gently use the Q-tip to scrub at the lettering. Repeat as needed. This is another one that takes paitience but it does work. (I believe this came from Athearn company via FB.)
I've removed numbering from cars using a very small amount of rubbing alcohol, or the back of a hobby knife and gently scrape off the lettering. I've even heard of some using pencil erasers. Whatever approach(s) used, just go slow.
I'm trying to remove the lettering from a N gauge Bowser coverd hopper without taking off the paint. I tried the mircrosol and magic tape approach, the pine sol on a Qtip approach, and the microsol / solvaset with a pink eraser approach. None of them worked. Any ideas? I was hoping to not have to strip all the paint