Workbench Wednesday: ScaleTrains 2725 - The First One (Part 1)

     In an earlier Fleet Friday post, I wrote about how ScaleTrains sent a replacement locomotive to make up for the errors they made with the first run.  I'm now tasked with changing the locomotive number on the original locomotive.  The first step was to remove the printed numbers and IC marking on the locomotive.  To do this, I brushed Micro Scale's Micro Sol onto the numbers and let the solution sit on the surface, I kept reapplying the Micro Sol as it kept drying up.  The goal was to always keep the numbers covered with Micro Sol.  I ended up putting a piece of paper towel over the numbers to contain the Micro Sol and keep them moist.  After five minutes, I dried the surface and put a piece of Scotch Tape over the numbers and the ripped the tape off.  Hopefully, it took the numbers with it.  I had to repeat this a process a few times to get everything off the first side of the locomotive.  NSModeler24 made a video of this process if you're interested.  I've also seen other modelers use it, too.

    The other side of the locomotive proved to be a little more of a challenge.  I repeated the same process but after several attempts, nothing was coming off the locomotive.  My first attempt at troubleshooting was to see if I could just cover the printing using one of the patch decals that ScaleTrains supplied with the replacement locomotive.  It didn't look the best.  I could see the printed numbers through the decal. 

 In continuing to find a solution that I liked, I got a new bottle of Micro Sol and tried that on the printing.  That did the trick!  The printing began to come right off.

Out with the old and in with the new.

    The numbers on the back needed to make a slight adjustment to my method.  I knew the tape wouldn't work as well on the angled back.  I also knew getting a decal around the grab iron would be a problem.  I decided to leave the 2 on the locomotive.  To remove the other digits, I soaked them a little longer and used a pointed cotton swab to rub off the printing once it has softened enough.  This ended up leaving a little more residue, but I will work on cleaning it up when I return to this project.