Tips: Removing lettering/foam blades (Was "That 1 Percent...")

[nscaler711]

Have you tried using a Fiber glass Pen?
I have used that tool to remove various manufacturers decals/paint/printed lettering on rolling stock and I have not hurt the paint underneath.

http://www.cooltools.us/Scratch-Brush-Pen-Style-Fiberglass-p/brn-207.htm
Though I bought mine at Radio Shack, comes with extra tip...
Anyway its designed to clean contacts on circuit boards without scratching the surface, and it generally works great on other things as well... Like contact strips on a locomotive!

I will admit you should probably wear PPE when you use it though... Like gloves and possibly a mask...
So while not the safest, it works really well....

[randgust]

In the 'old days' I can tell you that Floquil Dio-Sol would take the lettering off of MT cars rather quickly, if you wanted it to come off or not.

I've tested all kinds of stuff to pull lettering off from to 91% alcohol to brake fluid to Pine Sol to Dio-Sol ... in increasingly risky attempts in that order.  Pine Sol in particular will dissolve some plastics and I have the wreckage to prove it.

I'm not sure why the TP properties discussion is so controversial as an 'industrial' application.  Darndest thing I've ever seen that pales that by comparison is inside the Cummins diesel engine plant in NY, where they have to put protective gaskets and covers over all the connections and hose ports prior to an engine hitting the spray paint room.   They seal everything up first with KY jelly = by the caseload.   Employee that suggested using it as a completely washable and non-toxic sealant got an award, and they claim they are the largest user of the stuff in the world.   

[peteski]

In the 'old days' I can tell you that Floquil Dio-Sol would take the lettering off of MT cars rather quickly, if you wanted it to come off or not.

What do you mean "old-days"?!  Don't you have a gallon of Dio-Sol stashed away in your workshop?   

We also need to mention that there were 2 types of Dio-Sol. The original would not only remove paint but also melt the plastic bodies, and the Rev.1 formula which was not as potent (plastic compatible).

[OldEastRR]

For most Atlas stuff, including that made in the last 15 years, I found ScaleCoat II WashAway zips the lettering off the base paint after dabbing on where you want it to go. Or if you want all the lettering off set the whole car in a container of it. After a few minutes if you swirl the car around you see the lettering just fall off. Doesn't affect the base coat for these short durations, but if you leave the car in long enough you can eventually gently scrub down to bare plastic.

[Mike C]

I'm not sure why the TP properties discussion is so controversial as an 'industrial' application.  Darndest thing I've ever seen that pales that by comparison is inside the Cummins diesel engine plant in NY, where they have to put protective gaskets and covers over all the connections and hose ports prior to an engine hitting the spray paint room.   They seal everything up first with KY jelly = by the caseload.   Employee that suggested using it as a completely washable and non-toxic sealant got an award, and they claim they are the largest user of the stuff in the world.   

I wonder how much of that "non toxic sealant" goes home with the employees ?     

[sd45elect2000]

I wonder how much of that "non toxic sealant" goes home with the employees ?     

I dunno but I think I might wait till I got home to use the restroom.