My brother in law's Marx M10005 stream line train collection arrived today. One power unit, motor beyond repair; two Los Angeles, two Omahas; one Denver; one RPO car; one Squaw Bonnet.
Needless to say, they have seen better days, kept wrapped in box in attic. All sheet metal is intact and what is bent can be gently straightened or re-curved, no paint peeling or chipping off. Reading both Marx books, there is no suggestion for how to clean the lithographing. I used some distilled water to get grime off one car but still looks grungy. I know there is the school of thought that says leave well enough alone, but wife would like cars to look better before she adds them to her Marx display case.
Looking at book pictures I can't tell if cars were shiny or dull matte finish (now they are dull looking). If we do clean them, can wax restore shine or will it abrade paint and look worst or be a dust magnet?
Wife says to sacrifice the grungiest car to test cleaning techniques.
Suggestions? I can post a car picture if necessary.
