SD40u

[diesel]

I bought a Kato SD40-2 in ATSF warbonnet at the Springfield show. For now, I put a decoder in it and it's on the layout since my 'kitbash shelf" is full. I want to experiment with the difficult to strip Kato shell and weathering.

[Deleted]

Well, I can help you with the difficult to strip Kato paint.

Soak the shell in 91% isopropyl alcohol for a few days. Get one of these for your dremel tool
www.micromark.com/bristle-end-brush,6828.html.

Next, put your dremel tool on its lowest setting and wisk away the paint. Important. Keep the shell just below the surface of the alcohol. You need to keep the surface wet while the bristle brush works its magic.

This process is VERY safe and works GREAT!

[liengineerbob]

That stripping method works like a charm.....I just did it on a Kato GP35 shell. It's a little messy, but works, so keep some paper towels handy. That little brush even manages to get into the tightest of corners!! The key to success is to keep the shell wet, just like Brian mentioned, if it dries out, it doesn't do anything!! I hold it just under the surface to keep it wet. An old loaf pan works great for most HO scale locomotives.

[diesel]

thanks, I've yet to try that as I haven't yet started a Kato since learning that. My thought here is to use this hard to strip quality as a weathering technique. Not a whole lot, I'm betting I'll get the same kind of the effect you'd get if you used the dullcoat/alcohol trick on say -any other brand-. ; )

If it doesn't look that hot, then I will strip it as per the brush technique.