I have two Kato NW2's that I want to custom paint. Does anyone have a trick for getting the windows out of the cab? Talk about a test of patience. Geeesh.
Remove the side windows first (It's one piece) - the front and rear 'glass should just pop out. Hope that helps. Wolf
Thank you Wolf. Unfortunately it wasn't that simple. Each corner is locked in place by another piece at 90 degrees. I ended up doing some surgery on a piece to break the lock. I sure hope that putting it all back together goes well. Kato is sold out of replacement parts. Fingers will be crossed.
I share your frustration Dave. It's happened to me too. Even installing them can be tough. Some years ago I painted a locomotive and the windows were made to such a tight tolerance that I couldn't get the windows back in place after painting because my paint thickness was too much.
On my NW2, after hearing these were tough to remove, I was sort of planning on just doing some really careful masking.
Look into Micro-Mask and Micro liquid tape both made by MicroScale. You can coat the windows with it to prevent paint from getting where you don't want it.
I just tried it again. To make sure I was remembering correctly. At the bottom of the side windows are locking tabs. They are on the ends. This is what makes it a PITA to remove. I inserted a small screw driver in between the side glass and cab side (towards the rear of the cab). Gently pry it inward. Then push the side glass inward from the outside. Once one side is released, the side glass can removed. The front and rear glass will easily come out. Yes - it isn't easy - but, doable. Way easier then other manufacturers - who insist on gluing the glass in place. Wolf