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Decal Removal with Floqul Decal Remover
Robin wants some pointers on removing decals and asks everyone:
“I want to change a tender from New York Central to Southern. I have tried Floqul Decal remover without success. The tender is a new Lionel. Have any of your readers got any experience with decal removal?”
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2 Responses to Decal Removal with Floqul Decal Remover
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I use a product called ELO (Easy Lift Off) to remove decals. Where difficulties arise is if the decal has been covered with a topcoat of Dullcoat or Glosscoat.
It’s possible that the decal is also painted on rather than a decal. In that case the best solution is to remove the shell and then remove the paint. Repaint the shell and add decals of your choice.
The most effective and cheapest paint remover is common automotive brake fluid. I soak the shell overnight then use a toothbrush to scrub the shell. Wash the shell in lukewarm water and a small amount of dish detergent, then air dry for overnight. It’s ready to paint.
I wish you success.
Robin,
Recently, I just happened to see a TV program on Lionel manufacturing where they take you right into the factory. From what I saw, they didn’t use ANY decals in their decorating process at all. Everything was either spray painted on or they used a foam stamping process to apply the road names on locomotives or freight & passenger cars. So, the Floquil Decal Remover won’t work simply because you aren’t removing decals.
If you must change the road name, you could strip off the painted lettering using chemical paint removers. This is something that I would NOT recommend since you could ruin the tender’s overall finish and the tender itself, particularly if it is made out of plastic (the stripping chemicals will actually dissolve some plastics).
The only alternative I might try (and I have done this) is to repaint the whole model with a couple coats of glossy black (or whatever road name color you are using) paint and then apply your new decals. The reason I apply two coats of the glossy black first is to ‘bury’ the existing road name in paint so that you can’t see it’s raised profile that much when you look down along the side of the model. Realize that by doing this you run the risk of hiding fine details on the model such as rivets and the like. Be sure to mask off the model’s trucks and other parts that you wish to keep ‘original’ with tape and/or paper before you apply the overcoat(s).
Finally, seal it with a few coats of clear flat or glossy paint (your call) to secure the decal to the model.
Hope this helps,
Geof