Before I go trying anything yet, is there anything I can use to remove the lettering on an Accucraft train (Live Steam Tender)? I dont want to remove the paint just the lettering.
Shawn,
Not sure which model you are working with…If its one of the glossy black engines, you might consider using a black patch made from sign vinyl to merely hide the lettering underneath. Afterward, you could apply new vinyl lettering or decals on the patch and you could also add a border to further camouflage it. This could be ideal if you decide to sell the engine some day. This is what I did with my Ruby years ago:
Hey Shawn, I have a cab and water bunkers just laying for mine. I could try something out on them and report back. The quick list I have available is nail polish remover, acetone, and rubbing alcohol. I did as suggested above on the cab, masked around the “Ruby” painted black and put on a dry transfer “5”. I never touched the tanks, so I’ll try to play with them today.
Before recommending anything one really needs to know which loco and tender you are working on. Have you tried asking Accucraft what they used on the original and what might work to remove it ? Most of these things are Tampo printed, at least looking at my Accy’ K-28 and Mich Cal #5 Shay.
Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl) works fine on removing dry print with little risk to the colour coat they are applied to on most factory manufactured kit. Otherwise if they are, as more likely, Tampo printed or a (laquered over) waterslide transfer I think you will be looking at using an combination of a fine and extra fine grade “Squadron” flexible sanding stick/board to take off the print (and carrier film if used) and then applying a fine air brushed coat of satin (or whatever) laquer to restore the original finish to the base colour coat. That is how I did the re-livery of my Connie from Yellow Pine Lumber. Max.