the MRH Forum

Removing molded plastic details from box cars Locos and rolling stock
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Active Member 61 posts aileron44 Active Member 61 posts
aileron44

Hi all,

I would like to add metal details to some of my plastic box cars.   They all have molded-on details such as ladders and grab irons that first must be removed. However, never having done this, I need help on how to remove these molded-on details. 

I've searched this website as well as the net but the only thing I find on how to remove these molded-on details is to use an exacto knife with a sharp blade.  I can almost understand how it's done but the ladder sides are thick and I can see myself gouging into the sidewall of the car or at least marring or scratching the paint,  Same question goes for removing grab irons.

Micro Mark sells a tool for removing details such as grab irons but I'm not sure how it's used for removing ladders.

Any help or suggestions? 

George
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ratled Frequent poster 926 posts
ratled

Try these

A #17 Xacto blade or one of these (It's from a MRH sponsor too)   http://www.micromark.com/4mm-PLASTIC-MODELERS-CHISEL,7584.html like you said.  Work carefully, and practice on something you don't mind loosing. Don't try and take all of it in one pass, nibble a little at a time.  It is easier to take a little more than to put some back.  Some folks round the edges of the #17 xacto blade to minimize gouging where you don't want it.

BLMA, another MRH sponsor has this youtube video

 with #11 blade

This DVD shows it being done w/ a #17 if you want to get a whole DVD http://www.tsgmultimedia.com/trains/ho_weathering_2.php

Steve

http://klamathline.blogspot.com/

 
Reply 0
pipopak Frequent poster 894 posts
pipopak

#17 Xacto blades

and ALWAYS chisel AWAY from your body parts!

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Long life to Linux The Great!
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aileron44 Active Member 61 posts
aileron44

Re: Try these

Thanks Steve.

I viewed the video from BLMA so I had some idea what it might take to remove details.  I'll definitely buy the video from TSG.  I watched the trailer and was impressed with all the weathering stuff and detail application. 

I'll try it with an exacto but I'll also try the special tool.  Anyone out there who's tried this tool?  I'll scrounge up a old car body and practice before I attempt it on anything I want.

Thanks Pipo for the advice for using a knife.  I did learn at a very young age to always cut toward your best friend although it may take a different technigue doing this type of cutting.

Thanks again, guys.

G
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pipopak Frequent poster 894 posts
pipopak

#17 Xacto blades

Thanks Pipo for the advice for using a knife.

Learned by experience. Have a 50 year old 2" long scar in my hand.

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Long life to Linux The Great!
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