Question: How to remove Letters from Army Surplus (The Acolyte: Osha's Pip Pocket Bag)

[BugCowboy]

Howdy all, (pardon if this is the wrong place to ask this is my first post here other than the intro thread) I am building a Pip Repair droid for my personal collection and ordered a similar Vietnam era ammo bag to the one used for Osha's hip Pip bag in "the Acolyte." Specifically the shorter one.

While not perfect (slightly different rivets and sizes) I think it is close enough for my collection shelf, especially after I distress and remove all the extra bits --

However, I cannot figure out how to remove the "US" lettering and internal lettering. I started doing samples on the inside letters, and while acetone and alcohol have both lightened the lettering (90% cosmetic acetone Right, rubbing alcohol Left) My scrubbing started fuzzing up the fabric, and nothing was getting into the lower parts of the fabric. Do I just need more elbow grease, or heavier solvent? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TheMechanic]

I'm not sure if the lettering was applied with paint or ink. I would think that spot scrubbing it would only damage the fabric. Maybe soaking the whole thing in thinner and hope that the lettering dissolves? It's a tough one.

 

[Halliwax]

I would try isopropyl alcohol first see if that has any effects

 

[sparkmatter]

This would be risky but RIT makes a dye remover, you could follow the directions on that (and then redye with olive green after if needed) and *hopefully* whatever stamping process they use will be more volatile than the color in the fabric
Although looking at the photos I think the front metal loop thingy is wider/bigger in the show one so you could take the existing one off and replace it with a bigger one that covers the letters

 

[Treadwell]

The canvas itself is dyed, so don't use that!

 

[yaris]

You will never remove the ink without forever damaging the fabric.

 

[BugCowboy]

You will never remove the ink without forever damaging the fabric.

Don’t mind forever altering/damaging it, the screen used prop is quite distressed, just don’t want to ruin the integrity completely.

The screen used props are ammo pouches from this era, so that leads me to think the printing can be removed. Unless they created exact replicas which I suppose you can when you’re Disney Star Wars but who’s to say.

I’m going to soak it in isopropyl overnight, it will likely break down the dye a lot but I don’t mind the faded appearance as Osha’s isn’t solid olive. Using a toothbrush and rubbing alcohol made some good headway last night.

 

[division 6]

You can sometimes find Army surplus without markings.
That's probably what they used.

Some of the RotJ pieces where spray painted to hide the markings.

 

[sparkmatter]

The canvas itself is dyed, so don't use that!

I am operating on the assumption that the dye in the stamp will go first because it's applied after the fact and presumably doesn't have a mordant in the same way the fabric's color does... But definitely a very tenuous assumption I wouldn't bet more than 3 quid on, haha

 

[JMSupp]

The screen used version looks like the shorter version of the M-1956 Universal Small Arms Pouch. Originally designed for M-14 ammo clips or BAR rifle magazines, the short versions were made for 20 round M-16 magazines. Most had webbing on the sides to hold grenades, though there are some that don't. Most people call the M16 "shorty" pouches M56 or M-1956 pouches, even though they're technically "Case, Small Arms, Ammunition M16A1", without the M-1956 designation.

Original shorty pouches are fairly rare, only made for about a year, before they transitioned to nylon. Fortunately, there are lots of reproductions and variants, so it's probably easier to just find one that is unmarked. Finding one without grenade straps is a bit tougher.

The lettering in that era was either stamped ink or screen printed paint. There's no real specification for what method, just as long as it was marked. Either one is a royal pain to remove, though sometimes you get lucky and find a solvent that works. Otherwise, you're stuck using mechanical means, like sandpaper. Even if you're lucky enough to match the paint exactly, the paint will likely fill the weave of the fabric, and it will show. Overdying it is a no go, as well.

At best, you'd end up with faded fabric and faded lettering, kinda like this.

 

[TK41434]

Check the following threads if you want to know more about military equipment (from the Vietnam era) used in Star Wars... Endor: Rebel Uniforms versus Vietnam: US Uniforms as well as Real military equipment used for props & costume parts in Star Wars movies & series