I just do not get what I am doing wrong, but I cannot remove MTL lettering from freight cars. I have spent a small fortune on all the recommended chemicals. Lamp oil - nothing, Naphtha-nothing, alcohol, and on and on. What the heck am I doing wrong? I now have a pretty impressive chemical set but no re-lettered rolling stock. I can only think I am not allowing enough time or not using enough pressure or the wrong tools.
I have had limited success with scraping using a sharp blade. Some with alcohol, but often affects the base coat.
I know this has been beat to death which is why I haven't asked until now so be gentle on me.
I've had, essentially, the same results. Things that seem to effect the results of any particular method:
a) age of the car- I speculate that the chemistry of the lettering ink (and underlying paint) of a car that is 40 years old is different than the products currently in use. (also true for most model paints- we are now using different brands/formulas)
b) color of the lettering - as with above, I would speculate that white lettering may contain different chemicals than red.
c) color of the underlying paint- dark lettering on white or yellow paint often leaves a "shadow", caused, I assume, by the dyes in the ink penetrating into the paint surface, that is almost impossible to remove.
d) on "pre-owned" cars, it is not unusual for the previous owner to have given them a shot of flat finish- which renders lettering removal without taking off the paint, even more difficult.
Given all the variables, any given car issued in any given year, requires experimentation to figure out what works on that particular model.
From the sounds of things, you have tried most of the things I would advise. I have had success (and failure) with blades (my preferred for this sort of thing is
https://excelblades.com/collections/replacement-blades/products/6-micro-stencil-blade - this is the smallest I have found and very sharp). I've also had success (and failure) using cotton swabs with either Micro-Sol, 91% alcohol or Simple Green cleaner- these take several minutes of scrubbing with a swab- and test before beginning on an inconspicuous area of paint- because sometimes the lettering is more resistant than the paint. I have also had limited success with an art gum (NOT pencil) eraser. Used either by itself, or after "softening" the lettering with one of the methods above.
