Lionel 126 Station paint

The alligator finish is not the finish that Lionel put on your station. When it was new it was smooth. The alligatoring of the finish happens over time to some old paints and varnishes. That finish is what tells the world your station is really old.  It is your station, and feel free to do what you want with it, but repainting it will destroy its value as an antique. 

I've been working with antiques (not just toy trains) for a while now and haven't come across "aged" paint that has wrinkled itself, it's usually the product of a type of paint like a wrinkle finish... or somebody went and spilled chemicals on it. The only time I've ever seen paint that looked like this is on the Lionel station and the 807 caboose. I'm pretty sure it's Lionel's way of adding texture to an otherwise flat surface. 

EDIT: did a little more research, I found the paint is called "LIONEL CRINKLE RED" but I can't seem to find anywhere that reproduces it yet.

Brian

VHT makes a red wrinkle finish paint. You would find it at a automotive store. You might use it as a wrinkle base coat, then lightly spray with the shade of red you want it to be.

Steve

I'm aware that I can get wrinkle finishes, I just want to make sure I can't get the original before trying to find alternatives. But I'll keep that in mind.

According to the TCA book on prewar Lionel trains, Lionel did offer the 126 in crackle red finish. You might check with Henning's Trains on whether you can get the original Lionel color. Henning sells an extensive line of tools and paint for restoring old Lionel. 

I have been painting trains and interiors of houses for quite some time now,and I know there is a crackle laquer clear topcoat that can been applied to any finish.We did a kitchen one time(the cabinets and woodwork)in this finish.We then ran a brown wash over it,and the brown went into all of the cracks,and it looked fantastic.

As far as finishing the station goes,I know CHARLES WOOD sells TRAIN ENAMEL,and he definetly has the crackle black that went on one of the prewar engines&tenders!!!

I don't know if he makes that color for the station in a crackle finish,but he will mix you up what ever you need for a price$$$$. It stinks to the high heavens,and takes a long time to completely dry if you don't bake it,but Charlie Wood can hook you up. Check out his website. trainenamel.com -Kenny

Thanks! I checked out his site, I found crackle black but no crackle red. Tried giving him a call but he's not there at the moment. I'll try back later and hopefully he's got some red as well.

Thanks for the help guys!