Lionel 2037 painting question

[GG1 guy]

I have a Lionel 2037 2-6-4 that runs great but looks rough.  As this is not a particularly valuable locomotive, I am not concerned with maintaining "originality". It came with a 6026W whistle tender that looked equally rough, but I was able to buy a reproduction tender shell for it, so it looks brand new.  I want to paint it the locomotive shell to look as good as the tender.  I already have a new bell, headlight lens, marker lenses, etc, so once it's painted it will look brand new.  Any suggestions what type or brand of paint to use?  I am proficient with an airbrush, but would be fine with a spray can if the color's right.  Don't care if it's an exact match to the original finish-just want it to look good.

[8ntruck]

I have not used this myself (yet), but I have heard that Krylon satin black works well for a project like yours. Prep for the paint might be as simple as a good wash of the shell, feathering the edges of the paint chips with 400 sandpaper, the spraying on two or three light coats. If the paint is really rough you will probably want to strip the shell. I've stripped plastic shells by soaking them in Simple Green cleaner. I've never stripped a die cast metal shell, so you are on your own here. Maybe somebody else has stripped a die cast shell? Good luck.

[TrainLarry]

You can use brake fluid to remove paint from your locomotive. See here for a paint that is matched for steam locomotives.

Larry

[TRAINCAT]

There are two good ways to strip a metal shell. One is have it media or glass blasted., or use a metal stripper in a spray can sold at LOWES. There are several spray can paints that work well. The Krylon is good as is are a few other satin black sprays. Hennings paint is awsum if you can airbrush. I use it whenever I can. Another great spray can paint is SEM automotive trim paint. You may have to find it online.
Roger