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Advice on Repainting a PW Lionel Cast Steamer

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Friday, September 7, 2007 3:42 PM
 ezmike wrote:

It is a 1110 Scout from 1950, there doesn't seem to be much interest in Scouts out there. Although, it is a complete set.

Do you have the original boxes ??  Shock [:O]

I would do some more research first, it might have no value or some value or a great deal of value now, but it will be guaranteed to have about zero value if you repaint it.

p.s. might want to post questions about it on the "Classic Toy Trains" forum!!

Stix
  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Carmel, NY
  • 373 posts
Posted by ezmike on Friday, September 7, 2007 3:17 PM

It is a 1110 Scout from 1950, there doesn't seem to be much interest in Scouts out there. Although, it is a complete set. Let me think more about this and do some research.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mike

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Prattville AL
  • 705 posts
Posted by UP2CSX on Friday, September 7, 2007 12:45 AM
Hmm...both those guys have a good point. Does this engine have the original Lionel paint scheme? Exactly what type of engine is it? Do you know how old it is? Some of the original Lionel HO engines are worth good money, especially if they are in the original paint scheme and are in reasonably good shape. I'd at least check at e-bay to see if there are similar engines for sale and how much they go for. You might be able to pick up two or three really nice P2K or Bachmann steam engines for what that one Lionel might bring you.
Regards, Jim
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Thursday, September 6, 2007 1:47 PM

 loathar wrote:
My advice...DON'T You might destroy it's value. I've seen chipped up Lionel stuff bring outrageous prices at auctions.

I agree with what Loathar says, don't try to repaint it unless you're absolutely sure you will never, ever, want to resell it.  In many cases, antiques have been ruined or their value destroyed by repainting.

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Amish country Tenn.
  • 10,027 posts
Posted by loathar on Thursday, September 6, 2007 11:51 AM
My advice...DON'T You might destroy it's value. I've seen chipped up Lionel stuff bring outrageous prices at auctions.
  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Carmel, NY
  • 373 posts
Posted by ezmike on Thursday, September 6, 2007 11:28 AM

Jim,

Thanks, satin finish is what I thought would be best. All of the other steamers I have look like they have a satin finish rather than a flat and certainly not a gloss. I just wanted confirmation.  I wasn't sure about removal though. I'll give the methods you suggest a try on a junker. The engine that I will paint only has the original pain so removal shouldn't be that hard. The junker only has one coat too so I can try both methods and see which looks best. Thanks again.

Mike

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Prattville AL
  • 705 posts
Posted by UP2CSX on Thursday, September 6, 2007 1:16 AM

How much paint is on it now? If it's only one relatively thin coat, I think some sanding and cleanup with some paint thinner is all you'd need. If it's got a lot of coats of paint, you have to strip it. This will involve tearing down the locomotive and soaking the parts to be painted in paint thinner. You can also use paint stripper but I don't know if thats too strong and might damage some of the soldered components. It will involve a lot of toothbrush works in the cracks and crevices but you can get most of the paint off, at least enough to make an acceptable new paint job.

I'm assuming you're going to be painting it the standard engine black. If so, I've found Krylon satin paint goes on very nicely with minimal overspray. I've tried Rustoleum but find the spray head has way too wide a pattern and tends to splatter. I'd get a couple of different brands and try them on your junkers to see which ones you like best. Satin or medium gloss finish gives you the best surface for decaling. It will also show you areas that need a bit more touchup work better than flat. You can use Dulcote or Krylon's Flat Finish, which I find gives just as good a result as Dulcoat for a lot less money.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Regards, Jim
  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Carmel, NY
  • 373 posts
Advice on Repainting a PW Lionel Cast Steamer
Posted by ezmike on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 9:30 PM

I want to repaint one of my steamers and need advice as to how to do it. Do I need to stip it to the bare metal? I would think that would give me the smoothest and cleanest finish, however, I do not have a sand/glass bead blaster. what other methods are there? What kind of paint, flat or satin finish? Is there a brand or place recomended to buy it? I'm limited to spray can type since I no longer have a sprayer.

 I have a couiple of junkers to practice on.

 Thanks 

Mike 

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