Question... does anyone have a proven method for polishing the postwar extruded aluminum Lionel cars?
I have seen, heard, of different methods.... Which is the best? Jesse
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Ivory liquid. I sure wouldn't polish them.
Jesse,
I concur with Eddie on this one. I've heard so many stories of cars being ruined. Far more than I've heard of positive results.
If you are talking about the Lionel lines silver dawn, range etc cars.... I have use mothers mag and aluminum polish and it works fine. You can tell immediately which cars have been polished.
Doesn't it depend on whether the anodizing is still intact? If anodized and not corroded, just soap. If bare aluminum, then Mothers or some other aluminum polish. The big problem with polishes is getting the residue out of the grooves. Flour might help, but elbow grease is probably the best bet. And watch out for lettering - the polish can remove it.
If they are postwar cars I use a small toothbrush looking wire brush, like these. Be careful around the plastics ends and nameplates. Gets them really shiny.
Gentlemen, Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. Yes, I too have heard of and read of many different ideas. I do not recall whether they are anodized, or not. I will have to look that one up in my reference library. I have read of some using the Mother's or Mc Quire's polish. Also, I heard of some use of "Bar Keepers Friend" to clean them. I looked at the BKF container I have, and it says it is safe for aluminum, just to test it first, as is standard practice. I do have a Silver Range and a Silver Bluff that look the most tarnished. I believe I will try some of the suggestions on, in small select areas.
Again, thanks and may God bless all......
Jesse
To all,
I am fully aware of the value, and some scarcity, of original Lionel Postwar cars/engines. Of the two extruded aluminum cars I listed, the Range and Bluff, I have two complete sets of all the cars, one set in excellent condition. I normally only do a gentle cleaning with diluted liquid dish soap and a soft bristle tooth brush. Naturally, staying away from all lettering or other sensitive areas at all times. To have an attempt on cars of "good" condition, and having much better examples of same, I feel can be warranted, or at the least, make some effort towards restoration.
Thank you, and may the Good Lord bless you all....
Jesse
The dome on the 2532 is painted and the vestibule ends on the 2534 are painted. So, no metal polish there. Treat these areas with products for an expensive paint job on a car. really fine paint polishers.
What I haven't discovered, did Lionel put a clear coat of paint on the body? Looking at some other jobs in older posts, some seem too have a clear coat by the way they reacted to metal polishing products. Can anyone confirm this?
Finally, remember that anything but the finest of polish will leave marks, like swirl marks in a poorly detailed car or worse, scratches, because too heavy a grit was used. Then, the only way to get those out is to remove all of the surrounding metal. So, no circular movements, only lateral.
Bottom line, try first with a paint finishing product and the softest cloth slightly dampened with very light pressure. Then some pure carnauba wax to seal. Even if it is bare metal on the body, it may be enough to remove some dirt or oxidation without scratching the metal.
That's my take on this.
