What decal will match this numbering?

[Orange Irish]

I plan to buy several of these Reading hoppers and replace the last road number with a Microscale decal number, but I'm not sure which decal is appropriate. I think one of the following three decal sheets will work (probably the first), but I wanted someone to confirm if possible.

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2...0001&Category_Code=HOSCALE&Product_Count=1355

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2...0121&Category_Code=HOSCALE&Product_Count=1416

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2...0231&Category_Code=HOSCALE&Product_Count=1437

Once I get the right decals, should I scrape off the last digit or try to paint over it before applying the decal? I know scraping might take off some black paint, and painting might leave a different finish around the decal, but what's usually the best practice?

 

[Mark R.]

The first set in your list would be the correct font. The second set is the correct font, but in stencil format which has tiny breaks in it like a stencil would. The third set is just wrong.

The only concern would be if the decals are the exact same size as what's on the model. I've seen many models where the last digit was changed and was really obvious it was - slightly different in brightness and maybe even size.

Whenever I renumber a car, I'll completely renumber it so they all look the same. If it's only off by a little, subtle weathering can blend it together nicely.

As for removing the original letters, I'll place a small bit of Solvaset on the letter (to act more as a lubricant than anything else) and use a new X-Acto blade and carefully scrape off the letter(s). Go easy - you are scaping them off, not digging them out !

Your biggest saving grace is the fact the car is black - VERY easy to touch up if necessary.


Mark.

 

[Sawdust]

This will be a great project for you. I have done the same thing with some Virginian coal cars. I got most of mine from swap meets for $5. or less. I have about 25 of them now. I took them all apart, washed them, replaced the wheels & couplers then re numbered. I did what Mark R suggested & it worked great for me. I just erased as much as I could then touched up the silver before lettering. Once your weather go a little heavier in that area.

 

[Orange Irish]

Great, thanks guys! I have a different model of Reading hopper that I'll practice on to see how closely the decals match. I saw a video where a guy used the back edge of a blade, scraping away to just get the number off without messing up the base paint. I hope not to have to replace the entire road number because I'll be doing this with five hoppers, and that would mean multiple decal sheets. I wish they made a sheet with just numbers on it. Oh well, thanks again.