Removing Decals

[Anonymous]

I came about a bit of rolling stock but the person who had them was modeling over by new york and ohio and I will be modeling the Rio Grande area.

What would be the easiest way to remove decals?

[Anonymous]

Metallicar, if the present decals have a glossy appearance, they probably haven't been dulled over with varnish. Walthers makes a product called Solv-a-Set which makes the decal more pliable and removes excess moisture. Try this first, if it doesn't "do the trick," you may need to resort to Acetone to remove decals that have been varnished. I can't gaurantee that Acetone wont ripple the paint, so try it on an unexposed area first. Also, hang-on for more "replies" on this "topic" as there may be better advise forthcoming.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Are you sure they are decals or is it factory applied lettering? Those are not decals, they are usually stamped on paint. I'd try 91% alcohol first and ELO second. But watch it, both will take the paint off too. I've heard others use Pine Sol and Solvaset but haven't had the chance to try them myself.

[tstage]

If it's factory applied lettering, a pencil eraser works great and doesn't mar the paint behind it. I would use that before resorting to any chemicals to remove the lettering.

Tom

[Anonymous]

an eraser didn't seem to work

and no the lettering is not shiney or glossy it may not be a decal maybe just paint

[Anonymous]

Metallicar, one last try for removing decals: try softening them up with Solv-a-Set applied liberally with cotton swabs. Allow it some time (overnight) to "cure." Apply masking tape over the lettering and then with a quick jerking motion pull the tape away. If the lettering doesn't come off...they aren't decals. Now its decision time: if you can match the road colors on most of the rolling stock, simply paint over the original lettering, purchase D.& R.G. decals and apply anew. The Solv-a-Set you haven't used will now be useful for the new decals. A last thought might be to glue light cardboard strips (match painted to the original) over the lettering and use dry transfers instead of decals. I hope one out of three will work for you. Good luck.