NEED SOME PAINT COLOR HELP

Hi Mike- Have an idea for your color match. I have been in the hobby since 1972 and tried different methods.  Prior to trains I was building model cars and learned how to prep and paint plastic... Superfuss about doing quality work. All the skills transferred over to trains. Started doing "touchup" paint match postwar train stuff in 1976 for myself and club members. Traded painting for trains and parts. Most guys are afraid to paint! I would like to share what I've learned with  you.

The system works great for me.. Also have done some total "repaints" of "basket case" postwar Lionel F-3's- my favorite pastime. We had to-this is 1974-1980 time period. Still do it today-46 years later. The process hasn't changed. I just finished a refresh/rebuild/restore of a 2363 IC "Streak Liner Set" from 1955-not easy but worth it.

Here is the process.

1) I have a local paint guy here in SLC who does "perfect color match" in a spray bomb can- for over 40 years. Because of all the environmental changes, he now makes up Acrylic Enamel for me. He matches both the color and the amount of shine dead on. I take the item with me down to his shop for the match (cab, passenger car , accessory) etc.  and his turnaround is 1 day. I make sure the can is labeled properly and a small drop of the paint put on the label also for future reference. My next project (in process) is a ABA 2343 (thrashed) - that's going to be a (treasured) UP "City of Los Angeles" Lionel never made. Paint match to Williams Scale Passenger cars..

2) I can shoot the paint over plastic or metal. I can spray the color over a large item -and- spray some into a small glass bottle (1") wide minimum opening, cap it, to use later -then brushing it with a fine tipped brush where necessary for the small nicks .

3) I shoot outside in bright sunlight so I can see everything clearly. Outside tempt is at least 70 degrees so the paint flows together smooth. No orange peel.

4) Current cost is $22.00/can. It is a lot of paint-more than a small bottle. I don't use an airbrush-the colors are ready to go and pressurized perfectly. Easy and great results.

5) Proper cleaning and prep is what makes a good paint job. Be patient with your efforts. Prep is 90% of the work. Then shoot it. I use a homemade metal clothes hanger (stiff wire one) to hold the item (pics)

Some samples for you.

• Bascule Bridge- total restore & paint (green & silver) picture
• Wabash 2367 A unit grey roof repair(crack) and paint, picture
• 2363 IC- total "frame off" restoration-"want ad" -stored since 1992 (mechanical, wiring, battery damage, paint touchup, reassemble)- found November 14, 2020 -completed for Christmas 2020.
• Total restore repaints- DRG "BumbleBee" AA, SP "Black Widow" AA, UP ABA done back in the 1970's- pre MTH, Williams, Atlas, Lionel just getting going again. They still run and look great.
• I am an operator first, collector second. preservationist third. It's the greatest hobby in world. Restoration gives me the best buzz of all!

Good luck with your projects. Send me an email if you have questions. You can do it!

Regards, Glenn Spencer

Mike- here is a picture of the Postwar Spray Paint Can Match.

Mike,

The chance of an accurate representation of a color as seen on the screen is close to zero, so don't question yourself too harshly. A lot of the places that do the Lionel colors name them the same as Lionel did or use the item number they first showed up on. Also, keep in mind that light or other environmental issues will change the tint over time. An accurate way to match is to look on the underside or inside of a piece.

Jumping to your question, The Cattle & Milk Platform bases are both #3656 Green, conveniently numbered as the corral itself. This is also listed at other sites as 45/45N/145 green as it is used on Gateman base.  The fence on the Corral is probably 514 Cream. The 175 base is likely the 600 Cream. Yeah, I know, both named Cream but little resemblance.

For the 85, there were two combos: 284 Orange / 380 Maroon as one and the other as Aluminum (which is likely the 900 Silver) / 252 Red.

Call or email Henning's. They have been doing this for a long time and I'm sure they can answer for certain.

Badger Modelflex does (Acrylic) railroad colors.   Scalecoat was paint from Weaver Models, ??? (Scalecoat may still be available) ???