how to change cab numbers

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catd69u
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Location: Kentucky

how to change cab numbers

Postby catd69u » Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:23 pm

Hello. I have two mth ps1 bigboys with the same number, and I would like to change the number on one of them. Does anybody know how to get the old number off without hurting the paint? I appreciate any help................

Barry Franklin

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webenda
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby webenda » Thu Jun 25, 2026 11:10 pm

Image

Scrape the old number off with a blunt, curved scapel. Do not scrape into the paint. A faint amount of the old number remaining is ok. It can be used as a guide when applying the new number.


Reference: https://clarkrailworks.com/blogs/news/n ... nia-change
----Wayne----

Back when I was growing up, if you didn't start someth'n, there wouldn't be noth'n.
--Merle Haggard

Norton
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby Norton » Fri Jun 26, 2026 5:59 pm

Whoa! Hold the scraper. Lacquer thinner will remove the lettering without damaging the paint. Just use a damp paper towel or Q tip.
The Black paint on MODERN MTH and Lionel steam engines will not be damaged by lacquer thinner. Do NOT use it on any other manufacturers engines including Williams, Weaver, and 3rd Rail. It will damage their paint.

Before.

Image

After

Image

Finished

Image

This is an MTH Big Boy that was numbered 4012. The whole number was removed and replaced.

Image

Pete

catd69u
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Location: Kentucky

Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby catd69u » Sun Jun 28, 2026 11:53 am

Thanks for the help guys................
Barry

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webenda
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby webenda » Mon Jun 29, 2026 10:25 pm

You are very welcome, Barry.
If you go ahead and remove the numbers, I would like to hear the method you used and your thoughts on the result.
----Wayne----

Back when I was growing up, if you didn't start someth'n, there wouldn't be noth'n.
--Merle Haggard

catd69u
Posts: 35
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:02 pm
Location: Kentucky

Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby catd69u » Sat Jul 04, 2026 4:53 pm

Well, here's the results. Lacquer Thinner. I must have done something wrong...........................
Barry

catd69u
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Location: Kentucky

Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby catd69u » Sat Jul 04, 2026 5:00 pm

I tried to put a picture up, but I guess I don't know how. I took the paint off..................

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Rufus T. Firefly
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby Rufus T. Firefly » Sat Jul 04, 2026 5:16 pm

catd69u wrote:I tried to put a picture up, but I guess I don't know how.


Photos have to be hosted somewhere other than here.

I took the paint off..................


Just the numbers or more?
What the herd hates most is one who thinks differently; it is not so much the opinion itself, but the audacity of wanting to think for themselves, something that they do not know how to do.

catd69u
Posts: 35
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Location: Kentucky

Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby catd69u » Sat Jul 04, 2026 5:20 pm

I have tried and tried to post a picture, but I can't get it to post. I tried the lacquer thinner, but the paint came off with the number. Oh well............I don't have anyplace to host pictures.

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webenda
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby webenda » Sat Jul 04, 2026 11:10 pm

Thank you for letting us know the method and results, Barry.
If you would like, I can post your photos here.
Send to waynebenda@gmail.com
----Wayne----

Back when I was growing up, if you didn't start someth'n, there wouldn't be noth'n.
--Merle Haggard

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Rufus T. Firefly
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby Rufus T. Firefly » Sun Jul 05, 2026 8:57 am

catd69u wrote:I have tried and tried to post a picture, but I can't get it to post.


Again, photos have to hosted 1st somewhere else; photo hosting on this site is non-functional.
Over in Forum Support you'll find 3 options for dealing with this issue.
viewforum.php?f=3

For now, contact Wayne and he'll handle them for you.

I tried the lacquer thinner, but the paint came off with the number.


There are very few paints that will resist lacquer thinner.....
What the herd hates most is one who thinks differently; it is not so much the opinion itself, but the audacity of wanting to think for themselves, something that they do not know how to do.

catd69u
Posts: 35
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:02 pm
Location: Kentucky

Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby catd69u » Sun Jul 05, 2026 9:31 am

I guess I should have asked for instructions before I tried this. I guess you just rub the lacquer thinner on the number itself? I really didn't think about it, as I don't know much about paints and such. I reckon I should have known better.........................
Barry

catd69u
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby catd69u » Sun Jul 05, 2026 9:32 am

I sent a picture to Wayne, I think.
Barry

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Rufus T. Firefly
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby Rufus T. Firefly » Sun Jul 05, 2026 10:26 am

catd69u wrote:I guess I should have asked for instructions before I tried this. I guess you just rub the lacquer thinner on the number itself? I really didn't think about it, as I don't know much about paints and such. I reckon I should have known better.........................
Barry


Probably with a Q-Tip on the number using minimal thinner - just a little at a time - sneak up on it, sort of.
What the herd hates most is one who thinks differently; it is not so much the opinion itself, but the audacity of wanting to think for themselves, something that they do not know how to do.

Norton
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Re: how to change cab numbers

Postby Norton » Mon Jul 06, 2026 9:04 am

catd69u wrote:I guess I should have asked for instructions before I tried this. I guess you just rub the lacquer thinner on the number itself? I really didn't think about it, as I don't know much about paints and such. I reckon I should have known better.........................
Barry


I should have mentioned you test it on a place not seen like the inside. You only apply it with a damp paper towel or Q tip to the lettering. It usually only takes a few seconds and it wipes right off. I had a tender I wanted to completely strip. Immersing it in lacquer thinner for over an hour didn’t even soften the black paint. At the time I had access to methylene chloride. It used to be the active ingredient in the best paint strippers. That had the paint off in about a minute.

Pete


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