Removing LGB lettering?

PaulRhB

PaulRhB

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Has anyone tried any of the usual methods for removing lettering off an LGB loco, T-Cut etc?
I've done it in the smaller scales but I'm wondering about removing the large lettering from the tanks on one of the new Olomana locos and just wondered if anyone's done it with a method that leaves the paint intact underneath, I'm happy to varnish it again to remove dulled paint.
Scraping with a blade isn't going to work on this one as it's going to leave marks so has anyone tried decal softener, T-cut or anything else?
 
Paul, I have used a Fibre Glass Pen, but it does leave the location of the lettering as a dull colour of what previously existed. Wheather you could bring it back with Varnish I doubt. But as I mostly do weathering after such abuse it does not worry me.

You doing G again now? Still welcome at mine if you wish to come over.
JonD
 
dunnyrail said:
Paul, I have used a Fibre Glass Pen, but it does leave the location of the lettering as a dull colour of what previously existed. Wheather you could bring it back with Varnish I doubt. But as I mostly do weathering after such abuse it does not worry me.

You doing G again now? Still welcome at mine if you wish to come over.
JonD
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Hi Jon, I never abandoned G just the layouts for now as I have the HOm version to play with ;)
I'm going to sell off a few bits to finance a mini feldbahn / sugar cane rly that I can set up at home but the HSB tanks are all staying and I will take you up on the invite eventually ;)

Yes fibre brush is an option but sort of a last resort as the printing is usually fairly thick on the older models and I was just wondering if the new printing might be the same inkjet type as on some other models and might come off with less aggressive methods.
 
I don't know about the new models but on the older stuff brake fluid is what I usually resort to using, after trying and failing with the more gentle stuff.
 
railwayman198 said:
I don't know about the new models but on the older stuff brake fluid is what I usually resort to using, after trying and failing with the more gentle stuff.
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Does that not attack the plastic?

I have a similar task, but on some Accucraft W&L stock. I then also have to replace some of the numbers.
 
Doesn't brake fluid leave the area with a higher 'gloss' as well?? - I have a badly added stripe to remove from a loco, and keep putting it off!!
 
I read a while ago a usa guy used Ethyl Alcohol (Maplin) - I tried it and it works well but very slowly using cotton buds it takes the numbers off but all methods seem to slightly affect the paint surface

David
 
Brake fluid was good for complete body paint removal. I soaked body for a few ours and Voila!!! all paint is gone, a little brush with a toothbrush and repaint.
Ethil and other methilates are painfully slow, you could use a rotary tool for speed work.
Have success!!!!
 
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I have used meths. It slowly removes lettering. I use a cotton swab, and patience. It takes a while to soften the ink. It is stubborn. But, it leaves a shadow as the lettering itself seems to also come off with the underlying color. Meths will dull the paint a bit.
I have also tried 800- 1600 grit, which does about the same.

You might try good plastic polish, like a fine cut cleaner or mid scratch type, then, gloss polish, and see if you can buff through the print.

I have found that removing the printing is abalance between thoroughness, finish loss, and raised traces of the original print which can show even with a primer coat, color coat and flat top coat.

I might suggest a paint match and paint over of the bunker. Or a decal that more or less will cover the area.

Its been a while, so i am not certain, but on the old Olomano, i think the boiler tank had an overlay of a decal. I know the dome(s) did.

Super fine sanding or polish will, likely, give you a good, but slowly obtained result. You are less likely to have an ooops moment. You may or may not go through the paint, but it will be gradual. Be careful, as spares were hard to come by, and may still be.
 
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Reviving this thread for a moment.... I've just successfully taken the markings off a 3062 coach body (white RhB lettering etc off a red-painted body) with nail varnish remover (acetone) and some cotton wool - it actually took very little effort, I was quite surprised how easily they came off. It has SLIGHTLY matted the paint underneath, but then again I wasn't actively trying to avoid this as the whole unit will be resprayed anyway.

Jon.
 
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