A few additions to my locomotive roster and a rebuild

[Wayne R]

It's hard to think of baking soda as abrasive...but at a "teensy-winsy" level, I guess it is....

Sounds like a lot of work....but the finished results make it worthwhile..!!

I also found it hard to believe baking soda would work instead of the sand when I first read about it. When I went to try it I was so unsure it would work I ordered 20 pounds of the Badger 220 grit sand. To my surprise the baking soda had no problems removing the paint and tarnish. The good news is the 220 grit sand comes in handy when I get some solder in a spot where I did not want it. A little burst of the sand removes it right down to bare brass again.

I have also read that the baking soda can be used to remove paint from plastic shells. I have not tried it but I would think it would pit the plastic some as it is softer than brass. I have an old boxcar shell I used to test a custom mixed color using acrylic paint some time back. I have been meaning to try the baking soda on it and if I can remember to do so I will give it a try when I sandblast the ten wheeler.


Wayne Reid