Atlas Paint Removal

[BCR751]

Anyone know how to remove the painted-on (at least I'm assuming it's paint) lettering on Atlas locos withouht screwing up the base paint?  I want to change an engine number.

Doug

[OHCR 4218]

I have used a white erasor to rub the numbers off. I don't know if this works on all locomotives, but it dose on some. This will take off the clear coat and shows up if you shoot pictures of it with a flash.
Brandon

[LIRR]

I've used a new #11 x-acto blade to carefully scrape off a number...it works well for making a 3 out of an 8. Sometimes that's all that's needed to renumber

[Scottl]

How about a q-tip with some alcohol on it to rub off the paint?  Works on Kato.  I would avoid a knife blade as it could maar the surface.

[TiVoPrince]

ELO 
(Easy Lift Off, not the band) on a swab.  Always seems to get at least 99% of lettering before affecting the underlying paint.  Atlas/IM lettering removal seems to be much closer to the underlying paint than Kato when using alcohol.  Mostly a process of scrubbing off that stubborn factory applied light gray SP lettering to apply the white lettering so characteristic of SP rebuilds in the 1980s...

[flight2000]

How about a q-tip with some alcohol on it to rub off the paint?  Works on Kato.  I would avoid a knife blade as it could maar the surface.

and short of coming out of the factory paint booth, how many locos don't have dents, scratches, rust holes, etc....       I prefer the beat up clunker look...

I've used just about everything to acheive the end result, but have favored 71% isopropyl alcohol and an eraser.  The pointy tip ones work the best.

Brian

[DKS]

I've used just about everything to acheive the end result, but have favored 71% isopropyl alcohol and an eraser.

+1. I use the erasers found on cheap disposable mechanical pencils. Here, I carved one to work around some railing in the way.

[fredmoehrle]

A paint brush dipped in Solveset, slather on the offending number for a minute, then rub with a white eraser.
Might take a few applications/performances, but never had it fail, or remove the paint under a Atlas.
Also, use a round toothpick soaked in Solveset to get the nooks and crannies.
Some times the whole number with a toothpick, plus, it can be carved to get into tighter spots.
Leaves a nice, semigloss burnish on the paint.

[GP38-2freak]

I would try a toothpick with a little bit Microsol on it and rub it..on my SD35 is no number^^