removing factory applied decals...

[T]

 I saw this topic on trainboard.  What does everyone use for this? 


Removing factory applied decals



Tom

[mkl194]

I first try denatured alcohol. If that doesn't work I sometimes use acetone, but that carries a lot of risk. Acetone will take off pretty much anything, but will melt plastic and remove paint underneath. If using acetone, use it on a cloth shop towel so you can quickly wipe it away before you melt some. The q-tip method is almost guaranteed to melt something.

Purple Power and Pine Sol are pretty good, but I generally use the Pine Sol to strip everything including the paint.

[artur]

you can try oven cleaner, spray some on a q-tip and it will wipe the decal off like an eraser. after you remove the decal wipe the area clean because it will remove paint it just takes longer. Its safe on plastic its won't melt it.

[gnsteve]

I recently used a liberal amount of Microscale's Micro Sol, let it sit about a minute and scrubbed with a microbrush. It took a couple of times and the decal was gone. Instead of the microbrush you could try an ink eraser or even a sharp x-acto blade.

Steve

[Mark R.]

Solvaset and a Q-Tip works for me. It takes a bit of time, but the lettering will come off without damaging the underlying finish.

For the record, they aren't "decals" but rather pad printed using inks.

Mark.

[nssd70m]

I use Micro Sol and toothpicks. Like Steve said above, let it sit a minute or two. I use a toothpick to scrub the number or letters. It took several tries. Here is a Roundhouse 5 bay Ortner hopper car that I'm changing a couple of digits on. Earl...

[m a y o r 79]

Ive done the microsol thing before, takes a while and Ive found at least 2-3 applications before everything was cleared off. Never tried oven cleaner, interesting idea.

[Mark R.]

Be careful with the oven cleaner .... I use it sometimes to completely strip cars !

Mark.