I have a recent issue Lionel steam engine that has small paint splatters on the top surface. Any suggestions on removing the specks without damaging the painted surface?
Appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks,
Don
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If the paint specks are latex house paint, you can successfully remove them Don. The only thing that sucks, is you have to do them one at a time. Get a small pan of water and bring it to almost the boiling point, put a drop or two of Dawn dish detergent in the water, and mix in. Then dip a q tip in the water and rub on the speck. It will loosen the latex and remove it. Stubborn specs use your fingernail to pick away after the q tip trick. The hotter the soapy water the better. Careful heating water in the microwave, …a flash boil is no fun!….I recommend doing that on the stove!…the trick to making this work is don’t try and rub the speck immediately, hold the hot q tip on the spec for a few moments to soften the latex speck. Then gently rub to break it away. ….if the paint is chemical base, ie; spray paint, rustoleum, etc,….it’s pretty much trashed,…..
Pat
If the engine is a Lionel or MTH with black paint then if the soapy water doesn’t work then a Q tip dipped in lacquer thinner might. The black paint is pretty resistant to lacquer thinner. But try the water trick first. If the engine is not a Lionel or MTH then all bets are off.
Pete
Big box stores sell Latex Paint remover. I've never used it for this purpose, but works well in household applications. I would apply it with a small paint brush (hobby brush/testors brush) and then rub off with a Q Tip and have some water & paper towel handy to wipe the engine surface clean immediately after removal.
Best place for cheap hobby brushes is Horrible Freight. I always keep them in my garage, use them for a variety of different things..............
