Removing lettering from MT UP Heavyweights

[Roger Holmes]

I am thinking of getting an MT Union Pacific Heavyweight Baggage Car to strip off the "Union Pacific" in the letter board and decal it for The Milwaukee Road per some photos I have seen.  How tough is it to remove the red, outlined in black lettering without disturbing the yellow paint below?

My usual lettering removal technique for other brands is to apply Solvaset, wait a few minutes, reapply Solvaset and gently remove lettering with a pencil eraser.  Works most of the time but I haven't tried it on an MT UP car and ruining the underlying yellow paint would make the project much more difficult.

Ideas?

Thanks!

[JoeD]

Depending on how fresh the ink is you can use Camp Fuel to take the printing off.  We use it here to take of misprints and clean the surface.  Works like a charm and does not effect the underlying paint.  On older ink i take some 1200 grit sandpaper and just kiss the print taking off the surface, then use the Colman fuel to break down the ink.  It might take a few minutes.  Older prints might leave a witness mark and generally you can take the 1200 grit or finer and gently wipe the surface with a little water added and clean it off.  I recently did the same thing to some of our Pullman Green cars to re mark them in NdeM and the gold came off pretty easy.   Give the model a clear gloss coat before the decals, re shoot with gloss to fill and then flat.  skip the last tip if you already know that    Since I weather all my stuff, hiding any witness lines is easier.


Joe
MTL

[Spades]

Joe knows what he is talking about.  Athearn had this on their facebook page and it works great https://www.facebook.com/AthearnModelTrains/videos/10152936814060041/

[OldEastRR]

What is Camp Fuel? Is that from a sporting goods source?

[peteski]

What is Camp Fuel? Is that from a sporting goods source?

What is it?  Why not look in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleman_fuel
If it is Naphtha-based then Ronsonol Lighter fluid might work just as well (so should VM&P Naphtha from a hardware store).

Speaking of removing lettering, this is a good thread to revisit.  Even you participated in it (and Colman Camp Fuel was mentioned too).   

[up1950s]

Hmmm re lettering passenger cars to MOW camp cars just became easier . Somebody had to say it . Thanks Joe and Pete for this method . Old lettering removal has always been a stickler .