How To Renumber a Factory Painted Locomotive

Heres another quick modeling tip! Often times, factory painted locomotives don't come in the road number that you want! Here a quick fix thats easy, cheap, and fast!

[@ATSF104]

This is a FANTASTIC video! I had done this in similar fashion but tried the solvaset/tape method last night on an Athearn RTR Trinity 5161 hopper that needs to be renumbered. Worked beautifully! Thank you for sharing this technique.

[@WhiteRiverRails]

I found this very helpful. I did not know how to apply decals like that until I watched this, thanks for uploading this video!

[@MrBillCNW]

You did a great job Josh. Thank you for sharing.

[@SDJR7F88]

A very helpful tutorial indeed! Hoping to have a go at renumbering some British Rolling stock soon. That Micro Sol really works a treat, that the old number off very well. Will certainly keep those products in mind. Keep up the great work

[@ShazzledWolf32]

Should’ve included the light board

[@virtualtrainstuff990]

Thanks for this tutorial Josh. I'm going to be trying this on a BOWSER Ontario Northland SD40-2.

[@brianhuss9184]

A good method to hide the shine of decal film: coat the area where you are going to place the decal with clear gloss coat. Once it dries apply your decal. After the decal dries apply a matt varnish / dullcoat clear coating.

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Great how to. Thanks for sharing with us all.

[@keeganseva3975]

This video is so helpful! Thank you. I will use this method to renumber my SD60E to NS 7034.

[@TheEriefan]

Thanks for another great video! Now I will try this technique on my own locos.

[@Southern8099]

Excellent information...thanks for sharing with us

[@BryanSmith518]

Nice video! I bought the stuff to renumber some of my locos a while ago but haven't gotten around it it yet as I want sure how to achieve it without messing it up. Thanks for the tips I'll have to try them out!

[@LiteHouze]

I used your technique yesterday renumbered 4 locomotives!!!!! you are the best! thanks so much!

[@nsmodeler24]

Glad it worked for you!

[@rockyfanatic6846]

NSmodeler24 do a how to renumber some covered hoppers

[@beeble2003]

@@rockyfanatic6846 It's exactly the same. Remove the existing numbers and add decals for the numbers you want.

[@BNforever2009]

Thank you!! I will practice on this, esp when I have unit coal trains or other frieght cars that will be in my home road name.

[@hoggersouthawk]

Thanks Josh - very good how to.

[@brianlingenfelter4466]

That's a nice way to remove the old numbers. I should try this technic on some of my engines.

[@ScottDowneywoundedbear]

Now I know how to add decals. Great info video.

[@MrCystic89]

Great video, i was wondering how to go about doing this, Thanks!

[@Suedrampe]

Just great, thx for that helpful video ;)

[@amandaward6519]

Nice tip! I found that if I just kept brushing the Miicro Sol over the letters/numbers on my Bachmann 0-6-0 till they started breaking up, they came off really easy. A couple of tiny specks remained but weren't difficult to remove.

[@railfan8492]

that looked simple thanks for the video

[@railroadpics]

Great video!

[@JohnMullerJDGCTRy]

Thanks I'd forgotten about that technique

[@gageblymyer]

At last, I've found a decent method that works!

[@ozymandias2k]

I saw this 8 years later but what a great how to video. I can do that to remove decals on action figures I want to remove instead of what most youtubers recommend which is acetone (which could craze plastics)

[@regisbrooks8064]

Great looking locomotive nice 👍 reminder don't forget the NS car's u want to send me last year 2017-18 can't remember. I want to put it in our model contest for October and November this year

[@16thaveproductions]

great video

[@TolgaEastCoast]

Great video man. I have a question, it looks like each decal has a square area around it, does the square bit stay or does it somehow evaporate when the decal is being dried?

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing.

[@jonathanedwards4251]

Finally I know how to make a “what if” CSX/Chessie heritage model possible!

[@epiccsx]

Awesome! Can you post a video when it is done?

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@wolfpack4694]

That’s a great idea! I’m gonna try that on a recent acquisition that has a rr name I wanna change. Thanks!

[@DGModelworks]

Thanks for showing your technique! I'm not as afraid to try it now. You mentioned using the Krylon Krystal Clear. Is that a matte or gloss coat? Thanks! Deryk

[@jimjohnston3188]

DG Modelworks I was able to find Krylon flat finish at Walmart. Don't know if it was available when the video was made but it is on the store shelves now. Jim

[@gregmaggielipscomb9246]

Nice work, T/Y.

[@thetrainshop]

Another way of doing it: Soapy water (really soapy), 2000 grit sand paper, and a flat edge to put the sand paper on tight with (preferably small so you can do the small places) soak the paper you're using in the soapy water, and put a little extra on the face you're sanding. Then gently (not a lot of pressure, at all. be very gentle or it'll ruin the finish of the paint) wet sand it. If it starts to dry out, soak the sandpaper again. I'll be posting a video soon.

[@nsdash09]

That's exactly what I did for my SD70M-2! Question though, what did you use for the EMD number boards? They have a smaller font and I ended up just using some slightly oversized number board decals.

[@KorraDaTrainBuff]

Do you think this technique will work on Broadway Limited steamers?

[@friedrichshausen_spur_n]

Cool video. Any idea whether this method will also work with an old Atlas N scale GP38 model from 2002? Thanks!

[@greghuang2314]

Do you think this technique will work for a Bachmann Amtrak locomotive? Also does this work only for the numbers or for all other decals as well?

[@NscalefromOntario]

Thanks for sharing this with us. Do you have any videos on how to custom paint? One thing I wanted to try for a while is custom paint and detail 2 LLPX gp38s so if you have any videos up it would really help. Btw I think you have an awesome layout.

[@charliegilroy8434]

Start on a cheap piece of rolling stock and practice!

[@BanditAviation]

Does this work like with Athearn, bachmann, walthers, intermountain etc?

[@CSX2665]

hey man does this work with rolling stock like passenger cars too? i plan on removing decals of l&n passenger cars and renumbering them to model the csx ocs

[@grandparails8858]

Thanks for the video how to.

[@arjnsdca]

Amazing

[@PittsburghMainline]

Thanks for posting! I need to do this on some of my locomotives.

[@Fitch721]

What happened with the shadowing effect of the original road numbers? Did you apply more sol & tape off camera or did the complete drying of said sol diminish the shadowy look? Thanks for passing on the tip. - SP modeler out : )

[@todddavidson9066]

to do a patch job would you remove factory number decals or just add patch decal over it? I will be using microscale patch decals.

[@kenweidner9898]

Have you used this technique works with Proto2000 locos? I have a number of them to renumber.

[@joshvellieux8693]

I tried your technique twice on a old Athearn blue box Southern Pacific SD40T-2 and it didn't do nothing, could it because the paint is different??

[@KCRX3]

I know this is an old video but will with work with scale trains and Bachmann locomotives too?

[@paulbrown5376]

will this take off the lettering and design on the tender of the circus 4-6-0 steam engine by Bachmann Williams.

[@kenmartin9227]

Are the cab number boards a similar process? Even with the backlight shining thru?

[@sithlord1626]

would rubbing alcohol work as well in removing the numbers?

[@kirbyyork7669]

Do they sell Southern Pacific decals for steam locomotives as well?

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

Can you make how to make model trains go up and down grades?

[@cleartheory9854]

No decals are better than Microscale - because you get to control the clear layer which eliminates excess clear film and you don't have to cut. There was too much clear left on the ShellScale decals; number 4 was too high on the left cab side. But, you need a fine job on explaining the decals steps - and you used Microscale solutions. Very good! BTW, ShellScale doesn't make light-able number board decals - Microscale does.

[@mrMATTHEWmay887]

do you have to clear coat it ? like i asked early im getting a athearn 4-6-6-4 challenger steam loco and that's a lot of locomotive and tender to cover

[@kbbgood]

Does this also work on old Athern blue box units?

[@anthonytaylor8895]

Can you get Athearn Genesis HO Scale Amtrak F40PHR unit 225 and renumber it as Amtrak F40PHR unit 369 please???

[@railfantyler5311]

Did anyone notice that that was NS 1030 SD70ACE the forgotten heritage or the 30th anniversary until

[@Doogle136]

Hi- thanks for the video tips. I couldn't make out the decals that you recommended. I got that what you use are better than Microscale, but what brand name are you recommending?

[@Conrail1994]

Shell Scale

[@johngray9986]

Are the number boards are difficult to renumber

[@railfanjose2381]

So this could work for Walthers mainline trains and other and what numbers could be recommended

[@ModelerManMike]

I have a message for you in your mail! Thanks for sharing!

[@hunterbloom1657]

Where do you get your decals?

[@iatif1995]

Do we do the same thing with the logo?

[@MineMountModels]

It's like a Bikini wax for your loco. Well, it is summertime. Lol Great tip and how-to video. I need to do this to some of my frieght. Thanks

[@darinlarabee1730]

Many thanks for taking the time to share this technique! I don't know if this has been asked yet, but does this work with the same great results on a Proto 2000 Locomotive? I have a GP7 that is a duplicate number that I would rather keep and redo in another number rather than sell it. Thanks again! Darin

[@charlieseidelmann6702]

Wondering the same thing. Did you ever try the renumbering of your proto loco?

[@mgshelton2]

What about the lighted Numbers can you change those?

[@Katomodeler231]

Are you out for the summer yet?

[@xelotus]

Will this method work for N Scale?

[@StevenKCRailfan]

Does this technique work the same with rolling stock? I thinking about renumbering some of my ScaleTrains 31K Crude Oil Tank Cars. Just wondering

[@BlueOvalHero]

Yes, it works on rolling stock as well.

[@woltar9]

NICE BUT NUMBER 4 NEED BE FIX I THINK THUMBS UP

[@NorthernNewEnglandRailfan]

Will this work on a walthers railcar?

[@stevenmichael2845]

The original numbers were just painted on with a pad, not decaled, right?

[@beeble2003]

7:12 "And we're done!" Seems legit!

[@user-wi9rf1zx5b]

this method work for Lionel cars and locomotives too?

[@americanmodeltrainproducti7675]

I have the same brand for a GN F7!

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

Wow you were Young when you did this!😂 How about Front Lighted Number Boards on an Atlas N Scale. Numbers just stuck on outside of lens. Same procedure?

[@johnpullen1349]

Does the same method work on lionel diesels?

[@jayderamus786]

HEY nice but where do u order your trains with the flashing lights in front of the train

[@epiccsx]

There are various manufacturers that make models that way. One of the popular online retailers is TrainWorld.Com

[@sauced2007]

Probably a dumb question but will this technic work to remove locomotive lettering? I have a few BNSF units that are stenciled for my railroad and I would like to remove the BNSF. Poor mans paint job lol.

[@chuckchristian2059]

How do u get rid of the numbers that light up

[@anthonydrawsome3648]

i know this is old, but i gotta ask, does it work for steam engines too? such as the athern genisis FEF-3?

[@Tracksidetrainguy]

It should

[@andrewwilson5631]

Thanks for the video! Would this work for lighted number boards?

[@LEGO10111999]

In your video Micro set says on the front that it is a decal remover. But you use Micro sol to remove the decal from the locomotive. So witch one is to remove them? And which one is to make them stay in place?

[@beeble2003]

The original numbers on the model aren't decals -- they're printed on. I've never tried removing decals, but Micro Sol seems to be much better at removing printed-on numbers than Micro Set.

[@peacefulmind1559]

number 4 is not in alignment with the other numbers

[@cjgibbs42]

Hey man I got a quick question for you. I have some HO cars that I need to take the decals off would I just use the same process as you did here?

[@trainman0771]

Thank you for sharing this. I am probably gonna be talk about pretty bad,but i am gonna do this to a kato sd40-2 change the name and all. Tr ha k you for the info.

[@nsmodeler24]

trainman0771 Best of luck with the project! Glad it can help

[@marioxerxescastelancastro8019]

What scale is this?

[@mec253]

I'm curious if you've encountered what I'm trying to figure out now. I have a P1K CN newsprint car with factory applied graffiti over the CN reporting marks, CN noodle. I'd like to remove the graffiti without messing up those nice CN reporting marks, logo, etc. Any suggestions ??

[@Berubium]

+Steve Hastings I am not an expert on the matter, but I would assume that it would be pretty much impossible. I've got a few of those pre-graffitied P1K CN newsprint cars too. They look okay once they've been weathered. If it's not a car I already have & you are interested, we could potentially swap as I have a few CN newsprint cars without graffiti new in box. Let me know if you're interested.

[@mec253]

+Berubium I definitely might be interested. What are the road numbers you have ?? .....and how do we get in contact off line here ?? By the way, I finally gave up trying to remove the graffiti, I masked the parts I wanted gone and hit it with some primer and it came out much better than I expected. I only have to re-decal the bottom half of one CN noodle and some of the car data on the same side. Personally as graffiti is today's norm I model back a ways and graffiti isn't my thing.

[@danceswithwolves49]

Will this technique work for S Helper Service and MTH S scale models locomotives as well?

[@bradleyogden5688]

I tried to renumber my HO B23-7 3972 to 972 but I damn near took the 9s off too. . Anyone feel generous? Does the tape method work for the number- boards?

[@alexanderc.4654]

First off, awesome tutorial. I've newly returned to the hobby, and have always wondered how this works. Second off, would this same process apply to an N scale model, as well? And what if you are doing lettering, as well numbers?

[@sir.oofington9908]

is this O gauge?

[@pretzelogic2689]

It's funny that the Micro Set is labeled "decal remover" but that's not the one you use.

[@thewaffleton]

This technique is not working on an Athearn RTR GP35.

[@jonsrailroadvideo]

Do you do the same thing to remove the company's name I have a SD40-2 that I would like to make my own Railroad Thank You

[@beeble2003]

Yes, obviously this technique works for all factory-applied decals.

[@FirstnameLastname-tp4zw]

What about the number boards???

[@TrashMan2008]

Do you have another technique for this process. It does not work for N scale Kato, and Atlas models. Just asking. I don't know why it doesn't work but it doesn't. Peace to you and the family, and welcome home.

[@braaandon5716]

TrashMan2008 because they are to small