WM covered hoppers

[Flatrat]

I picked Lee Weldon and Tim Sizemore's brains for ideas on covered hoppers for late 40's-early 50's Western Maryland covered hoppers and my brother has searched his WM books on the subject. Seems I can use ACF and PX2 hoppers in light grey and be reasonably accurate using those. I can't find the light grey hoppers with the proper round heralds but was thinking of trying to use some other RR's hoppers and maybe trying to float the road names off of the hoppers until I can find a source of proper decals. In the meantime I will be happy just with some light grey covered hoppers running on my line.

Does rubbing alcohol or some other solvent loosen or dissolve the the lettering/graphics on some of the available models? Or is it easier to just buy undecorated cars?

Scott

[Bendtracker1]

Does rubbing alcohol or some other solvent loosen or dissolve the the lettering/graphics on some of the available models? Or is it easier to just buy undecorated cars?

Scott

Rubbing alcohol might remove the paint as well depending on what strength you use.  Try using Solv-a-set on the lettering and heralds, let it soak for a bit and lightly scrub with a good pencil eraser.  Keep the area wet with the Solv-a-set and it should melt right off.

[Flatrat]

Good suggestion. Obviously my intention is to remove the lettering, NOT the grey paint or other graphics. I'll try Solv-a-set first and then go to diluted alcohol if that doesn't float the lettering off. If it doesn't work and takes the paint off then I'll admit defeat and repaint the cars light grey.

Thanks!

Scott

[Bob Bufkin]

If a car or two has the paint removed you can always use weathering to cover up the mistakes.  Beats having to remove and repaint the whole car and it is a great way to learn to weather some cars. 

[Flatrat]

Good point. I'll try the older open side hopper cars first. They would be the older, most weather beaten hoppers so if the paint ends up splotchy, weather over the imperfections.

S

[Bendtracker1]

When scrubbing with the Solv-a-set, don't bare down real hard with the eraser.  Just use a good scrubbing motion and keep it wet.

Good luck!

[Flatrat]

I'll be gentle.

Thanks.

S