Scratchbuilding and kitbashing

HI EVERYONE! LOOKING FOR SOME HELP ON DECAL REMOVAL FROM AN ARISTOCRAFT VALLEY FLYER.  I'M GOING TO REPAINT THE WHOLE THING AFTER I'M DONE.  I'M LOOKING FOR SOME BEST PRACTICES.    THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP!

I've had good luck removing decals from Bachmann rolling stock but have never worked on Aristo stuff.

http://www.mylargescale.com/Features/BuildersLogs/tabid/66/EntryID/80/Default.aspx

Hope this helps.

Best,

TJ

I don't know about the Valley Flyer, but I have had great success removing lettering from Aristo heavyweights with laquer thinner and a paper shop towel. 

JimC.

MODELSTRIP.  It is for models. A  paste you brush over the model or parts you want to shift.  Seal the model in a plastic bag and place in warm place for 10 hours.  Excellent to remove paint and decals.  HOWEVER. It's a UK product (may be available in US). 

 Note.:  It says it MAY NOT remove  some cellulose,polyurethane and factory finishes.  I am about to try it on a G Scale Porter (LGB) Casey.  Here's hoping it removes the paint/ink decals (as that is what most are these days  (INK!). 

Some recommend brake fluid. Huh!  Plastics are all sorts these days.  Brake fluid good for one..death to another!!   ISOPROPYL ALCHOHOL and ACETONE did not work on LGB body.  Acetone slightly melted the plastic until washed in water..it also smeared the printed lettering all over the place!  Eventually got the job done with fine wet and dry and a small screwdriver "scraper".  About to try the paste on Loco #2

So beware.

I don't think Aristo uses decals. I have taken all the paint off with ELO. It's for removing paint from plastic. I brushed some on and let it sit for about an hour. Took a rag and most of it came right off. Had to go back a second time for the rest of the paint.

I just finnished removing the Indian head and Santa Fe from a Aristo FB. I used wet/dry 600 grit ( wet ) sandpaper. removed all of the above in about 5 min per side. Just keep it wet ( sandpaper ) and wipe off after a few pass's to see your result's CAUTION anything less then 600 WILL leave scratch's  I KNOW I did..........

Dave

Learned this from a seminar at the ECLSTS: Carburetor Cleaner. BE CAREFUL, it works too good. DO NOT SPRAY ONTO SURFACE! I sprayed some into the can top, then dipped a Qtip. It's pad printing, so it comes off but leaves a shadow. I will try to post a pic of the 0-4-0 I did. It really doesn't take much, but if you rub too hard, you will take it down to bare plastic. Experience is gained from mistakes, so I've got a lot of experience!

Lou

RRRR4:

Learned this from a seminar at the ECLSTS: Carburetor Cleaner. BE CAREFUL, it works too good. DO NOT SPRAY ONTO SURFACE! I sprayed some into the can top, then dipped a Qtip. It's pad printing, so it comes off but leaves a shadow. I will try to post a pic of the 0-4-0 I did. It really doesn't take much, but if you rub too hard, you will take it down to bare plastic. Experience is gained from mistakes, so I've got a lot of experience!

Lou

two questions; will it etch the plastic if you want to strip the paint off and what did you use to clean up serface after use??

Dave