Changing car numbers

[nasaracer32]

I am getting back into the hobby after being out for more than 10 years and trying to learn some of the new techniques that have come about. I have a bunch of 34' Athearn hoppers that I want to change just the road number on, not messing with the rest of the lettering. What is the best way to get the numbers off w/o messing up everything else or the plastic?

Also, for those of you the weather with chalks, what do you use to seal the weathering onto the car once you get it like you want it? Or, do you not put anything on there at all?

Thanks!

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nasaracer32

I am getting back into the hobby after being out for more than 10 years and trying to learn some of the new techniques that have come about. I have a bunch of 34' Athearn hoppers that I want to change just the road number on, not messing with the rest of the lettering. What is the best way to get the numbers off w/o messing up everything else or the plastic?

Welcome back!!

Most older Athearn cars have the lettering stamped on.. It can be removed fairly easy with a pencil eraser.. It may leave a dull spot on the paint finish but by the time you get finished lettering and weathering it, it won't be very noticable (unless you want it to be).. Another way is to block out the old number with paint and simply renumber it.. You see things like this on trains all the time.. Not necassarily renumbering but providing a clean space to number amongst all the grafitti, numbers may have rusted off, etc.. Rather than repainting the entire car, they just block the space and add the numbers.

QUOTE:

Also, for those of you the weather with chalks, what do you use to seal the weathering onto the car once you get it like you want it? Or, do you not put anything on there at all?

Thanks!

If you are going to handle the cars, Testors Dullcoat.. It's a laquer so use it in a well ventalated space while wearing a face mask or resporator..

Good luck,
Jeff
[swg]

[nasaracer32]

Very good info, Jeff. I appreciate it a lot.

I was thinking Dullcoat, but wasn't sure if it would mess up the chalk since it is kind of dusty.

I will try that on the numbers. Seems like I remember using Fantastik cleaning spray or something like that to renumber my old Bachman J's years ago.

Will

[pike-62]

I am in the process of doing this on some Stewart 14 pannel hoppers. It seems that they only lettered two different #'s for the D&h. I removed one or two #'s by carefully scraping them off with a sharp exacto blade. I am going to replace them with some decals when I get the time to make them..
Dan Pikulski
www.DansResinCasting.com

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nasaracer32

Very good info, Jeff. I appreciate it a lot.

I was thinking Dullcoat, but wasn't sure if it would mess up the chalk since it is kind of dusty.

I will try that on the numbers. Seems like I remember using Fantastik cleaning spray or something like that to renumber my old Bachman J's years ago.

Will

I've never tried fantastic but have seen it used.. That was dip and it completely removed all the paint down to the bare plastic after several dips and cleanings. It might work for what you want but on the older blue box athearns it might be overkill..

When using dullcoat to fix chalk weathering, err on the heavy side with the chalk (pastels).. Otherwise, that nice black sooty dusty box car you just weathered will look almost new again after the dullcoat hits it.

Jeff

[tstage]

nasaracer32,

I used the eraser method on my Accurail hoppers and it worlked great. Just be sure you use only slight pressure on the erase when removing the lettering. I've found that the grayish, dense erasers on the back of technical pens were the best.

Tom

[nasaracer32]

Great info, guys! Thanks a lot.

Local hobby shop said to try something called 'Oops' from Lowe's, but of course they didn't have any. I did try some plastic- safe 'Goop Off' with no luck, so for now I am going to give the eraser method a try.

Will