Lionel Paint Match

[Prairietype]

I have wanted to start an information discussion for a long time on the subject of commercial paint products that are either very close or exact match to lionel colors. This subject seems to get discussed incidentally for a single color match inquiry but not in an on going thread.

So I will begin by posting three consecutive replies for commercial off the shelf paint that I know to match Lionel colors.

I hope others will contribute to this thread and keep it going for the benefit of everyone.

Lastly, I am not trying or wanting to cut into the custom Lionel paint available from Charles Woods. We should all be grateful to have him as a source for Lionel paint.

[Prairietype]

Black: For steam engines. KRYLON semi-gloss 1613 is reported by many as spot on match. I tried it over the weekend and can confirm this.

You can fill chips, lightly sand and the use Detail. Master polishing abrasives to blend and then rub with a piece of denim or paper towell to smooth the spot and perfect the blended touch you.

[Prairietype]

Silver: TESTORS silver metallic.

On vestibules, silver shells and accessories. The match is so close as to be undetectable under closr scrutiny in the brightest light.

[Prairietype]

Red: TESTORS red

A train shop owner told me an about this color for 200 series ALCOS such as the Texas Special and the Minneapolis and St. Louis.

It is a close match especially of a very little flat red is added with care and testing to get the right sheen.

[Anonymous]

Just FYI, Krylon 1613 isn't readily available off the shelf any longer.  It can be found on ebay though.

[TRAINCAT]

I agree the testors silver is just about dead on. I found the Krylon , IF you can find some, to be the best, although SEM trim paint is great for steamers too. I have also used Valspar black farm implement paint and found it to be ideal. But I think they just stopped carrying that.

Roger

[marxfan]

KRYLON is available with no problem here in Canada at WalMart I bought 2 of the Black just the other day

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Do you think there would be interest in doing the same thing for American Flyer?

[balidas]

Sturgeon-Phish

Do you think there would be interest in doing the same thing for American Flyer?

 

 

I'd have interest. I have several prewar American Flyer cars that could use freshening up. To my eyes, this paint seems to be a heavy, thick enamel, almost like todays powder coating.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

The pre-war is on really thick, but is is durable!

[rtraincollector]

the good thing is your in Wal-Mart you look at the Krylon paint can and say hmmm that looks close so you buy it. It's not that expensive about $3 - $4 you do a test spray on a piece of wood or something to get a idea how it will look. I do it often and not always Krylon 

[hielsie]

Looking for grey to match roof of Lionel 2421 Passeger Maplewood. (Darker grey not silver.) Hielsie

[rtraincollector]

I'm going to be looking for a close match to gun metal grey ( prewar like 1688 tender ) 

[Firelock76]

Try visiting an Ace Hardware if there's one in the neighborhood and check out the varieties of Krylon, Rust-Oleum, and Ace brand paints.  What they've got may just amaze you.

I've used Rust-Oleum black barbeque paint on some railroad lantern restorations and it looks great!

Barring that, visit www.henningstrains.com and check out their Lionel restoration paint selection.

[IEP-NYC-PRR]

I know this has been spoken about a lot, but I'lol be the first to admit that I can be a little slow on the pick up.  

Can someone point me in the right direction to Krylon 1613 (understand it discontinued).  Need a picture of can and correct current name since there are variations.  

Also are there any suggestions to, off the shelf, to, the green and gray for a 2400 car?

thank you all so much!

[DR ROBERT J GRIFFIN]

Sorry to be late to this post.  I need to freshen up a few nicks and scrapes on the main body of a Lionel 3435 Traveling Aquarium Car (c 1960 version, with common yellow lettering and no yellow/gold paint around the "L" opening mid-car).  Is there a commercially available green paint that is a close match? Thank you.

[TrainLarry]

Hennings Trains sells Lionel matched paints.

 

Larry