Kato Hoki 2200 numbering

[velotrain]

Looking at this on HS, they show it numbered as 12580.

 

Is this printed on, or are decals / transfers provided to allow different numbers?

 

HS doesn't have a "contents" image for this item, so I can't tell.

 

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10378055

[katoftw]

Link doesnt work. What is the kato stock code? If it is 8016. Then it is printed on.

Edited February 9, 2017 by katoftw

[Ken Ford]

That's too bad, the HO one comes with a dry transfer set with numbers and commodity codes (I think they are.)

[velotrain]

Does anyone have suggested techniques for modifying printed on numbers?

 

Can you get the number off without damaging the underlying paint?

[Ken Ford]

I've had great success using a solvent Kato USA used to sell for removing their lettering - it is called "Mr. Color" or something like that. I'll look when I get home.

 

It takes Kato lettering off clean with no scrubbing, shadows or damage to or polishing of the underlying paint.

[velotrain]

I contacted KatoUSA and got this response:

 

" Mr. Color thinner can be used to remove road numbers or lettering without
damaging the paint - we do not manufacture or sell this item, it is made by
a company called "Mr. Hobby", you can buy it from Amazon or from your local
hobby store:

just a small dab of it onto the number with a q-tip, wait about 30-45
seconds, then start rubbing at it and the number will wipe away."

 

Mr. Color Thinner is widely available in 50, 100, 200, and 400 ml bottles - shop around for the best price + shipping. 

I gather it is actually made by Gunze Sangyo in Japan.

 

However, before I order some I'll see if anything more basic - such as Isopropyl Alcohol, will work. 

Likely not, as Mr. Color brand is lacquer based vs. acrylic - which makes me wonder what Kato uses to paint the car, if a lacquer thinner doesn't bother it ?

Also, since I don't expect to be using very much, I'll get the small bottle.

 

For those who have air brushes, apparently this product is highly regarded as a very thorough AB cleaner.

 

Also - do not confuse this with Mr Color Levelling Thinner, which contains a retardant. 

 

See this site if interested in the differences between the two:

 

http://goodguydangunpla.blogspot.com/2013/09/mr-leveling-thinner-vs-mr-color-thinner.html

 

[Ken Ford]

I contacted KatoUSA and got this response:

 

" Mr. Color thinner can be used to remove road numbers or lettering withoutdamaging the paint - we do not manufacture or sell this item, it is made by

a company called "Mr. Hobby", you can buy it from Amazon or from your local

hobby store:

just a small dab of it onto the number with a q-tip, wait about 30-45

seconds, then start rubbing at it and the number will wipe away."

 

Mr. Color Thinner is widely available in 50, 100, 200, and 400 ml bottles - shop around for the best price + shipping. 

I gather it is actually made by Gunze Sangyo in Japan.

 

However, before I order some I'll see if anything more basic - such as Isopropyl Alcohol, will work. 

Likely not, as Mr. Color brand is lacquer based vs. acrylic - which makes me wonder what Kato uses to paint the car, if a lacquer thinner doesn't bother it ?

Also, since I don't expect to be using very much, I'll get the small bottle.

 

For those who have air brushes, apparently this product is highly regarded as a very thorough AB cleaner.

 

Also - do not confuse this with Mr Color Levelling Thinner, which contains a retardant. 

 

See this site if interested in the differences between the two:

 

http://goodguydangunpla.blogspot.com/2013/09/mr-leveling-thinner-vs-mr-color-thinner.html

Mr Color Thinner - that's the stuff! Kato USA used to sell it about 10 years ago, I still have 3/4 of a small bottle so I haven't looked for more. It's good to know it's available from Amazon.

[velotrain]

Given that Kato paint is apparently impervious to lacquer thinner, I asked KatoUSA if perhaps they fuse the paint to the plastic, and got this response:

 

"We do not know the specifics of what Kato Japan does for the paint, but
given that people anecdotally have a tremendous difficulty removing our
paint, I wouldn't be surprised if the paint is fused to the plastic."

[katoftw]

I think there is another called Mr Mark softener.  Used to remove and place decals.  And a Mr Mark Setter to harden/set decals.

[velotrain]

Here in the US the standards are Micro Sol

 

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MI-2

 

and Micro Set

 

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MI-1