Charles Wood paint

Hi Joe - Have you called this company? If so what did they tell you and how do you feel about the high prices and the process. Do you have the paint codes that they ask for on their web page?

From their web page.

Train Enamels are specially formulated to match original manufacturer's specifications. To offset any possible variations, Train Enamels has developed additional colors to make self-matching easier and more effective. To ensure consistency, please check and match batch numbers.

Train Enamels can also be mixed into custom colors for an additional $25
(No Minimums).
Note: Custom and special matched formulas are non-refundable.

How I do custom model painting on my layout.

All paints are mixed from a process, called the Pantone Matching System. That you can find at your big box lumber yard or auto paint supplier.

All paint stores have a machine called a Reflective Densitometer. Example; bring a model car to a paint store and they will put the model train car into the Reflective Densitometer and get you the exact codes and / or formula that makes that paint color.  It is the same way they match paint in a auto body shop to repair a vehicle after a coalition. 

The smallest amount that they can make up is one quart.  A auto paint store will do the best job at this process, but the big box stores like Home Depot, can do a water base paint.  Sometimes they can recommend a pre made spray paint in a can. Good Luck with the painting project.

Gary - Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway

Gary...as i said,no one answered the phone,and no I don't like the price...$10.00 +$10.00 shipping....i'll have to go the Badger way....just as good....cheers...joe

I think Charles Wood website was always trainenamels even when Charles ran it. It is the best match you will find but its not so easy to use if you use an airbrush. It requires thinning and takes forever to dry so dust has to be controlled. 

You might try Olsen's or ttender.com as they stock some of the Charles Wood paint.

Pete

joe krasko posted:

Gary...as i said,no one answered the phone,and no I don't like the price...$10.00 +$10.00 shipping....i'll have to go the Badger way....just as good....cheers...joe

Hi Joe - Sorry - I missed you phone call to company, but anyways. If I remember, from your last post you wanted to paint a passenger car.  If you passenger car is of value, or a family heirloom. You may want to get a price from a Automotive Paint Shop and have them paint the car or cars for you. You or one of friends just may know someone in the automotive paint business. Go to automotive paint supplier and they just may be able to give you a lead to a automotive painter. That will take in small jobs.

Gary: Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway

I've used the paint. It is good stuff but it really doesn't dry on its own - you have to bake it. I built a foil-lined box with a heat lamp and that works fine. As far as the price goes, it is a custom formulation with a very small market, which adds up to a high unit cost. You can't expect to get it for the cost of Krylon or Badger, which are produced in much larger quantities. Henning's also sells a line of enamels that match old Lionel and American Flyer colors. They are a bit easier to work with. You thin them with naphtha. 

I still have about 12  cans of Charles Wood paint i bought over 15 years ago...and yes it takes for ever to dry if you don't bake it. is Charles still alive ? he must be over 90 years old if he is.

Anthony Casamassima posted:

I still have about 12  cans of Charles Wood paint i bought over 15 years ago...and yes it takes for ever to dry if you don't bake it. is Charles still alive ? he must be over 90 years old if he is.

I expect to see Charlie this coming Saturday at the TCA meet in Parma.  

Lou N

Today, practically every paint store can computer-match any toy train paint sample to a quality enamel without the need of "special" train paints!

also try hennings trains

Check out this forum thread. Lots of good information. https://ogrforum.com/...55#72523942465201655