Remove Atlas Lettering Only?

[pinkasstan]

So i just purchased an Indiana Railroad SD60 to add to my fleet.

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/NLocom...3/49060_TQ.jpg

I generally model Minnesota area soo/CP/DME so the paint caught my eye....the 30 bucks (never been opened box) price at a local train show closeout sold me on the unit. So I thought i would simply remove the atlas applied lettering for Indiana and get some soo decals to do a reverse of what happened in reality. Is this even possible without severely damaging the surrounding paint?
I dont have time for a new paint job....any ideas?

[Steve from PA]

Try some Walther's Solvaset. Even though the lettering is not a decal you can control where you apply (Q tip or micro brush) and the time you leave it on. Let it sit on about a minute and then rub with the q tip. If it starts to come off re apply a few more times.

[ChicagoNW]

If the worst happens just use any white paint as a patch and tell the rivet counters the loco was leased out and was returned at the end of the lease. Luckily you are matching white rather than a special color.

Some people have had good results with a White Vinyl Drafting Eraser. Sometimes alcohol was involved.

An old standby is to gently scrape an Xacto blade across the offending paint. If you don't press the unwanted paint is removed without damaging the under layer.

[Allen H.]

Try some Walther's Solvaset. Even though the lettering is not a decal you can control where you apply (Q tip or micro brush) and the time you leave it on. Let it sit on about a minute and then rub with the q tip. If it starts to come off re apply a few more times.

Add to this: keep the area moist, don't let it dry out and continue rubbing it.

[pinkasstan]

Thanks for the ideas. Hopefully I will get some time to work on it over the weekend.

[SP-Wolf]

To add to what ChicagoNW said... I have had great success using an eraser. A little patience goes a long way. In other words go slow- and take your time.

Have fun,
Wolf

[baronjutter]

I've removed a lot of atlas lettering, maybe I'm bad at it as I just go at it with solvset, an eraser, and sometimes blade, but it always slightly fades, scratches, or discolours the area little.

[Mobile One]

Some people have had good results with a White Vinyl Drafting Eraser. Sometimes alcohol was involved.

LOL! Would that be rubbing alcohol or intoxicating? Haha.

[Ray Haddad]

LOL! Would that be rubbing alcohol or intoxicating? Haha.

There you go! Get the engine drunk and play a little music and it will strip all by itself!

I like the idea.

[Mill-Bay]

I have a question in the same vein... I have a couple of the Atlas GP7's in Bangor & Aroostook blue and grey... I just want to be able to remove the lettering, and the herald on the short hoods.
Actually, it just occurred me that colour matching and careful masking might be better than trying to strip the lettering.

Still: Anyone know if the same techniques mentioned above can work to remove yellow lettering from an Atlas loco? Is Atlas yellow as evil as Kato yellow remove?

[jimil]

On their tank cars, 91% rubbing alcohol and a toothpick for "mechanical action" does just fine for me. But you can rub your finger on the lettering and feel that the numbers and markings are painted on afterwards, so you're taking off the outer layer.

That means its easier to get off, but it also means that simply patching over it leaves the raised impression of the letters underneath.

[CHUCKGEO]

I use Non Acetone Nail Polish Remover (NANPR) on either a Q-Tip or tissue. Use very sparingly. I spend an hour per side, and have had good results. Remember, no two painted models are alike, as a result of varying factory tampo thickness. I've never used the eraser method, but will consider it. Paint matching (overspray) without first removing the tampo will leave a ghost, and very easy to see.

[Jimmi (RIP)]

Alcohol and a Q-Tip work pretty well on most Atlas lettering. I believe that their lettering is pad printed and comes off easily.

[jpwisc]

Whichever method you use, try to keep the rubbing to the letters. The letters are paint, and are about the same thickness as the white paint, so the white will thin out as you work the area.

Consider trying your hand at painting. You could leave the frame and handrails as is, just repaint the shell and cab.

[P-LineSoo]

I'd paint over it. A little mixing and experimentation on a junk car or shell should allow you to match the white pretty close. Once the letters are covered, feather out the paint with first a brush dipped, then partially dried by sweeping it on cardboard, then a dry brush. Finally, hit it with some matte or flat clear. If done right, no one will notice and if they do, tell them they can't come over and play with your trains anymore.

[CRR Chase]

I just tried some of the suggestions on here, I used microset, and let it sit on the lettering for a while with a saturated paper towel... I then scraped away the lettering very easily with a set of curved tweezers, so not to mar the paint.. it worked well...

[Mill-Bay]

I use Non Acetone Nail Polish Remover (NANPR) on either a Q-Tip or tissue. Use very sparingly. I spend an hour per side, and have had good results. Remember, no two painted models are alike, as a result of varying factory tampo thickness. I've never used the eraser method, but will consider it. Paint matching (overspray) without first removing the tampo will leave a ghost, and very easy to see.

Did a test with some Non Acetone Nail Polish Remover and it appears to remove Atlas yellow paint. (I might have left it to long, and it went through into the next layer). Better try it with a q-tip next.

If you only need to remove a small amount of lettering, is there a recommended way to mask off the rest of the painted shell so the remover doesn't get to it, and hopefully the masking doesn't cause damage either?