Macowiec Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Hello,I have a set of 5 Hornby R4613 Mk2E TSO coaches which I recently purchased.All have the same number, thus I'd like to renumber them individually. I have the decals, so the question is: is there proven technique for removing the factory-applied numbers without damaging the underlying paint?Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VESPA Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 There are two methods. Careful rubbing away with a fibre glass tipped pen and sometimes but not always, by using a damped cotton bud in meths. You could also use a similar method using T Cut. All have to be done very carefully. Waterslide transfers are best applied to a glossy surface as you will see a white haze otherwise. I would suggest try any method out first on an old item where it won't matter if you overdo it.When on they will need sealing with varnish very carefully. This is not a rush job. I have done several coaches and Britannia locos. My preference is HMRS Pressfix transfers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Be extra careful with meths, as I have used it to remove paint, yet alone numbers! T cut and a cotton bud is one method I have used. The cleaning action polishes the numbers away, leaving a gloss surface. Be sure to wash any T cut residue away with water before applying transfers... As said above...try any method out where it doesn't matter first! 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gricer Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 I don't remember who first told me, but on several occasions I have used my wife's nail varnish remover for this task. When rubbed over the decals with a soft cloth I have found that it will gradually wipe away the transfers without damaging paintwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Be VERY CAREFUL with that!!Acetone is the main component in nail varnish remover - VERY strong 'polar' solvent. Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyd 85B Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 You need to closely mask the area around the decal and to start with the least invasive removal method. I find T-Cut on a cotton bud to be very controllable and to remove little or no underlying paint. Don't rub too vigorously but just keep going over the old decal until it starts to come away. It can take several minutes before you start to see any effect. On some older rolling stock I've found that just a smear of T-Cut will shrivel and lift the decal off with little rubbing, newer stock may take more effort. Wipe the T-Cut surface with soapy water, apply the new decal, leave overnight to dry thoroughly, then very lightly spray with satin clear varnish to seal the new decal and hide any 'ghosting' from the old one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Most numbers, and other decoration, are mainly printed on, by Tampo printing, not actually transfers (AKA Decals). Certainly an improvement on the old Heat Printing, where the number was branded onto the model, and was slightly embossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macowiec Posted October 26, 2019 Author Share Posted October 26, 2019 I'm not familiar with T-Cut, and when I google it there appears to be a family of products.Which specific product should I be looking for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 There's a video somewhere on RMWeb whereby somebody shows the full process, and used a blunted cocktail stick only - made it look very easy as well. He was renumbering a Class 37 (Bachmann) in Dutch livery but can't find it right now. Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyd 85B Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 I'm not familiar with T-Cut, and when I google it there appears to be a family of products.Which specific product should I be looking for?Look for T-Cut Original Colour Restorer, in a red container. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macowiec Posted October 29, 2019 Author Share Posted October 29, 2019 Is this the one? I'm in Poland, so the packaging may be a bit different./media/tinymce_upload/f4b21ee4a64779e35e9a59a2e41b25a6.png Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 It seems that "Colour Fast" includes colour, so wouldn't be a good idea. The usually recommended T cut version is the "Original" version. /media/tinymce_upload/fe46fe5d3fd1269b43657a2e907bbb7f.jpgThis is the one I have used.It may now be sold in a tin... /media/tinymce_upload/1ec64c66ee9206ce1b333ea9b271363c.pngThere is a new version, called T Cut Rapid, that is not as abrasive...I haven't used this version. /media/tinymce_upload/790f929c5c9f9b61fe835cfd0a1ae7f8.png Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macowiec Posted October 30, 2019 Author Share Posted October 30, 2019 Found the original and ordered! Thank you for the clarification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 No problem. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x-winguk Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 One other thing to try first is to carefully use the point of a sharp craft knife to gently 'flick' off the old number from a corner. I would advise against using Acetone as it just loves to melt plastics, personally I have been using 'Meths' and a cotton bud for years and 'T-Cut' is also good I find. but whatever you use just be gentle and cautious.Rgds,Chris B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_abramczyk Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 I saw an interesting thing on that recently, actually; I can't recall offhand where I saw it, but someone used the nib (and the ink?) out of a highlighter/marker pen to work the numbers off without scratching the bodywork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threelink Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Brasso and a cotton bud do it for me and leave a nicely polished surface for replacement decals. Just go easy and take your time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 I use Brasso, buds and cocktail sticks ... whichever suits - but lightly and S L O W L Y !! Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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