Removing Excess Paint

[montanabud0]

I've been attempting to upgrade/improve (?) the look of some of my steam locos by adding number boards to the front of the boiler as well as painting a white edge along the walkways along the side of the boiler. I usually end up with some white paint where I don't want it and have been trying several ways to remove the excess. Until now, results have not been great - usually I end up removing part of the paint that I didn't want removed. Today I tried something new (at least it is to me). When I have finished applying the white paint to the area I wish to cover, I clean my brush with Varsol. Then keeping the brush damp with Varsol, but not soaking, I applied it to the area of the unwanted paint. If this is done immediately after applying the paint, the Varsol seems to loosen the unwanted paint. Then I cleaned the brush again with Varsol and dried it almost completely on paper towel. Next I dragged the bristles over the Varsol dampened paint and the brush soaked up the unwanted paint. Sometimes I had to repeat the process two or three times, but it seems to work. I end up with paint where I wanted it and none elsewhere. Anyone done this before or have I found a new technique? With a small brush, it is possible to work to very close tolerances. Any comments from the experts??

[ginzokid]

Bud, My first question is what is Varsol? Is that a special brand of artist's paint thinner or brush cleaner? I have been using water based acrylic paints for quite some time now, since it is so hard to get the solvent based paints up here. These usually just require a quick wipe with a soft cloth, Q-tip or paper towel to remove the unwanted paint before it dries. And since they are water soluble, even if dried, they come off easily without damaging the paint underneath. I'm assuming you are masking off the areas you want to paint also. Using the brush bristles to soak up the unwanted paint sounds like a good trick. I'm wondering if a Q-tip would do the same thing. Now we will have to hear from Dr. Loco, our official painter. B-)

[dl85vette]

Pete, varsol is sold at Canadian Tire. It is in the house-hold painting section. Can't believe you haven't heard of it. I use it for cleaning out my airbrushes and have some in a screw-top jar for cleaning my paintbrushes.I also use it to thin paints out a lot when weathering locos,boxcars. It is a paint thinnner/paint remover and can be used for for tar and grease removal on cars. I use it on my rocker panels of car and truck to removed the tar/grease splotches that show up all summer. It is probably a petro distallate so beware of fumes if using a lot of it. As usual, always try a 'little' bit on an incospicous place to make sure it doesn't react with the plastic as every maker's plastic is different. Dr Loco and Gearhead

[montanabud0]

Regarding the use of Q-tips instead of a paint brush - I tried that first and found that some fuzz from the Q-tip managed to get stuck in the paint that I wanted to remain in place. I had then to remove all the paint and start over. Using the brush system doesn't seem to leave any fuzz.

[montanabud0]

Just another comment - The areas I was trying to touch up (mess up ??) were such things as the small bell and whistle, so I couldn't mask them off due to space limitations. The soaking up (for lack of a better expression) seemed to work fine. The comment about testing Varsol for reaction with the plastic is a good one - better to be safe than sorry! Another advantage I have found with using Varsol to clean my brushes is that the paint that comes off usually settles to the bottom of the jar of Varsol and doesn't end up with a muddy mixture of old paint in the jar like what happens when I use Turpentine or other paint thinners.

[ginzokid]

OK. Now I know what Varsol is and I'll stay away from it. Don't like toxic fumes. I'm trying to wean myself off Toluene and Diosol right now. Great stuff! Bud, if you are just touching up a small item like the whistle and bell example you gave, try using a toothpick or needle to apply the paint and just let it flow onto the surface. Also, I have a 00000 (5 zero brush) that I use just for touch ups, but there are literally only 5 hairs left on it. I plucked the rest. I use it under magnification needless to say. I have one of those round fluorescent lights with a magnifying glass in the center on a swing arm. Works great for putting eyebrows on N scale figures too. And one more thought, I have found that cheap "store brand" imitation "Q-tips" are not as soft as the real thing and do not leave fuzz behind. B-)

[untabubba]

YEA.....and the wads come off in your ears!!! Doctor....oh doctor! Mr. Breeze

[ginzokid]

Here's another thought that may or may not work depending on how thick the unwanted paint is. Let it dry and flake it off with the point of a #11 blade, and/or repaint the area that has the unwanted color on it. I still use tooth picks for application of minute amounts of paint. Also micro-brushes. Micro-Mark has those little gems. B-)