Removing Stenciled Names from Lames

[jfarmer]

Simple question. Is there any way to remove the blue paint/ink used to stencil names on lames? Our club has gotten a chance to buy several used lames for use by students. The only problem is that they have names stenciled on them. For practice in club, that's not a problem, but I certain that they will get tournament use sooner or later. So if I can, I would prefer to remove the old names from them.

(I did a search but didn't find anything in the archives...)

Thanks
John Farmer
Coach, Oak Ridge Fencers Club

[HDG]

Your best bet is probably to cover them with lame patches. It will be Frankenstein-looking, but it will do.

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by jfarmer

Simple question. Is there any way to remove the blue paint/ink used to stencil names on lames? Our club has gotten a chance to buy several used lames for use by students. The only problem is that they have names stenciled on them. For practice in club, that's not a problem, but I certain that they will get tournament use sooner or later. So if I can, I would prefer to remove the old names from them.

(I did a search but didn't find anything in the archives...)

Thanks
John Farmer
Coach, Oak Ridge Fencers Club

If you get rectangular patches it won't look bad at all. You could also stencil the club name on the patches.

Since they won't have the fencers names on them, you will probably only use them in local tournaments.

You can just get a blue marker and just overwrite the name into a blue rectangle. Probably quickest and cheapest.

I don't know of any way to remove a stenciled name.

[KD5MDK]

Since they won't have the fencers names on them, you will probably only use them in local tournaments.

Or national tournaments where the fencer has their name on their knickers.

[parrythis]

You could try painting over the existing names.

After all, we often put the names on with something like Krylon paint. There's nothing to say we couldn't paint over the names with some more paint that matches the color of the lame. Just make a big rectangular stencil mask that allows you to spray-paint over the entire name.

Of course, the standard advice applies - use many light coats, soak up the paint off the conductive threads with a paper towel after each coat, use a scotch-brite pad to restore conductivity.

Once the name is covered, proceed with the normal way of putting a new name on.

I have not tried this but I suspect it would work. Nonetheless, don't go by what I suggest. After all, one test is worth 1000 opinions.

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by parrythis

You could Of course, the standard advice applies - use many light coats, soak up the paint off the conductive threads with a paper towel after each coat, use a scotch-brite pad to restore conductivity.

The very best thing for restoring conductivity is a small piece of copper strip.