Removing Tampo Printed Tire Markings in 1/18th scale

[harveythedog2]

Before I made this discovery, I always used fingernail polish remover to take off the lettering before applying Michaels tire decals. First let me tell you that I hate doing tire decals because they take so long to do. Getting the tampo markings off is difficult probably because of the rubber tire surface. A lot of rubbing and dipping the rag or Q-tip in the fingernail polish remover is necessary.

Well, during my last conversion I noticed that I was almost out of fingernail polish remover. I just happened to come across a product on the workbench in my garage called GOOF OFF. I had purchased it in order to remove dried on latex paint on something. I figured what the heck, I will try it on a tire. I poured a small amount on a rag and wiped across the tampo tire marking. Much to my surprise the marking came off almost altogether with one swipe! I could hardly believe it! Something that took me an hour to do on four tires now only takes me a few minutes.

I have yet to try is on a metal body. Most all my conversions are strip and repaints anyway but I will try it and see if it works just as well on the body without hurting the paint.

[INDY22IAM]

I have always used straight Acetone on the tires. One swipe and they are gone but cannot use Acetone for the die cast paint. It will strip the paint as well.

[pje]

Nice to know Stu as I have a set of Greenlight tires that I have to do this. In researching the product, there seems to be a couple of strengths including toilet cleaner!
Can you share a photo of what you used?

Concerning the straight acetone, does it take any of the finish off the tire?

Paul Erlendson

[harveythedog2]

[INDY22IAM]

I just use a little Acetone on a q-tip and swipe once may bee twice and it is gone. I do not think it effects the tire at all if anything I think it enhances it by taking away the shine making it look more real and raced used.

[alterrenner]

Does this "Goof Off" smell like lighter fluid? The package certainly looks like a lighter fluid can. I ask because I've used lighter fluid to remove paint and tire markings. I have this mental images of an assembly line that ends with the cans branching off in two directions, one to receive "Goof Off" labels, and the other "Ronson" labels.

--Frank

[GrandPrecision]

Sometimes I find that acetone will leave streaks of white on the rubber. What I do is use some 2000 grit sandpaper/polishing pad to remove the markings. Keeps the same consistent finish as was on there before the removal due to the fineness of the grit.

[harveythedog2]

Acetone will also dull your tires. This is not a bad thing but you have to be careful with consistency. Some tampo are tougher to remove than others and the white residue can be an issue. Goof Off eliminates it all.

Goof Off does not smell like lighter fluid but does have a slight smell. Wash your tires thoroughly after use.

[harveythedog2]

I tired this on a Greenlight Adriane Fernandez and it worked fantastic. Warning, do not use it on painted plastic.