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Repainting Postwar Diecast Engine

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  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 3 posts
Repainting Postwar Diecast Engine
Posted by rb2hogger on Sunday, November 20, 2011 3:38 PM

I am going to repaint a diecast engine.  I remember reading an article awhile back about preparing and painting a diecast postwar engine. Someone told me to checkout the article about "Bringing Back Big Berk" in the Feb. & Mar., 1997 issues. I did this, but I seem to remember another article about repainting diecast engines including stripping old paint off.  Is there another such article or am i mistaken?  I appricate any help.

Bob

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: Ohio Valley
  • 706 posts
Posted by LL675 on Sunday, November 20, 2011 5:26 PM

the ones l've redone l haven't done anythlng speclal. just sand the rough spots and krylon seml gloss.

Dave

It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody  from Toy Story)

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 20, 2011 5:33 PM

Bob, here is the URL for a CTT forum question on repainting diecast:

http://ctt.trains.com/en/Operating/QA/2010/08/Can%20die-cast%20metal%20be%20repainted.aspx

I have used paint stripper, glass bead blast, and oven cleaner soak.  I believe that paint stripper is the most reliable since it removes oils, waxes and crud as well paint.  It is the most expensive and the messiest.  Media blast may leave an oily residue on the clean diecast causing a paint problem unless followed by a wash.  It can also damage the diecast if the blast is left in the same position for too long a time.  Too expensive unless you have access to a blaster.  Oven cleaner soak over night works fine, but is slow.  It's great for plastic cars that paint stripper might damage.  I've never tried the boiling cauldron method.

Byron

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,207 posts
Posted by stebbycentral on Monday, November 21, 2011 6:36 AM

I repainted a diecast Flyer Atlantic several years back.  Nothing fancy is required.  To remove the old paint I used a spray-on citrus based stripper followed by a wash in rubbing alcohol.  I then sprayed on a coat of grey automotive primer, which is an absolute must when painting over bare metal.  Followed by a coat of black.

I have figured out what is wrong with my brain!  On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!

  • Member since
    November 2010
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Posted by gunrunnerjohn on Monday, November 21, 2011 8:38 AM

I've used oven cleaner on a number of train locomotives and cars, it works great.  Paint it on liberally, put the whole thing in a plastic ziplock bag, and leave it overnight.  I put it in a pan in case the bag leaks and then let it cook.  It takes almost all the paint off and I can cleanup the shell and get it ready to paint.

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