"Unpatch" a Manufacturer Painted Locomotive

[tappertrainman]

Hi All,

I wanted to know if anyone has attempted to "unpatch" a manufacturer-painted locomotive.  For example, I model AT&SF in the late 80s, and it would be helpful and provide a wider range of models to choose from if I could take a BNSF-patched loco and cover up or remove the BNSF patch.  What might be involved in doing such a thing and would I end up with a realistic model (or am I missing some other change that would make it too foobalicious).  Any techniques or products that you might have used would be helpful, thanks!

This Atlas model is a good example of what I want to do, remove only the BNSF patches, am I left with a credible model for AT&SF?


James

[davefoxx]

I'm no ATSF expert, but the first thing that I noticed is that the font of the road number seemed wrong for ATSF.  According to a little bit of research online (the internet never lies), BNSF #2223 was ATSF #2334 (GP38u) before January 30, 2000 and ATSF #3534 (GP38) before February 1985.  I was right about the font.

So, it will take more than removing the BNSF patch.  You're going to have to renumber the unit, too.  But, that's probably not a big deal, and now you can stock up on BNSF #2223s to make a fleet of however many ATSF GP38s you want!

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3032852

Hope this helps,
DFF

[coosvalley]

I have removed lettering (printed, not painted) from Atlas locos with Solvaset and a pink eraser block....let the solvaset soak for 5 mins on the lettering, rub with eraser while still wet, re-applying Solvaset to keep it wet, rubbing until the lettering is gone, wash with warm water to remove any solvaset residue when done...hope this helps...

[ednadolski]

remove only the BNSF patches, am I left with a credible model for AT&SF?

That I think is a call that you have to make yourself.   It all depends on what level of prototype accuracy you want and how much work you are willing to do in order to achieve it.

Removing patches and lettering without leaving a trace is a delicate task, and is very YMMV.  Really you would be trying, in effect, to revert it to a newer-looking paint job.  If all else fails, you can always strip & repaint the model, or start with an undec.

Ed

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

If you are planning to do a little light weathering on the loco then all you need to do is take 99% rubbing alcohol and  a Q-tip and rub it out. the blue lettering will come off the yellow paint easy and might not even touch the yellow paint depending on how wet the q-tip is. I have taken numbers off the Kato SD40-2 in the blue and yellow warbonnet before and you couldn't tell after. I don't know if the yellow paint on the Atlas will react the same.