Paint Help for Restoring Lionel Postwar Accessories *COMPLETED*

There is someone out there that sells the correct colors that Lionel used on these but its been years and i know the business has changed hands but im sure someone has the information.

It’ll depend on how much work you want to go through. Many of the Lionel accessory bases are just black oxide. It’s a process where the sheet metal parts are dipped in black oxide ( basically an acid ) then dried, and soaked in oil. The idea being the oxide will suck in the oils, thus preserving the metal. Over time, obviously Mother Nature takes over and the components eventually rust……For what you’re doing, I’d choose a satin black, and just lightly dust the parts for the best look,……Just be mindful of any ground wires or binding posts that are part of any base, and could be affected by paint impeding an electrical connection……

Pat

I use Krylon, automotive paints and Rust-oleum, all though I just had a bad experience last week with the new Rust-oleum satin spray paint. The paint went on very thick and it mottled and took a long time to dry. I took it back to the store but got no answer why it happened. Most of my restorations are with gloss paint but I use Krylon Satin to restore my engines (satin black seems to be close to Lione finish) and small areas on some accessories. Here are some of my projects.

Restored and converted gate-man to Santa for a Christmas layout we built at the South Hadley MA Senior Center.

I restored the Coal Tower, all tough it was in pretty good shape, and covered it with Poly-styrene to fit into my layout.

Lionel Diner made from a Lionel 610 Tin Plate Car.

Lionel 1656 restored with Krylon Satin Spray Paint.

Lionel 685 restored in Krylon Satin Paint

Charles Wood train enamels. No on-line ordering. I wasn't all that thrilled with the paint, but he does original colors. 

I think that Henning's sells a lot of original colors - check their website.  IIRC, they're not in spray cans, so except for small touch-ups with a brush, an airbrush is needed.

As @gene maag demonstrated above, it's possible to get great results using common off-the-shelf rattle cans.  A lot of those paints are very close to original Lionel colors.

Winfield Becker in the Orange Hall normally has a selection of Charles Wood colors for sale

I went with Satin Black by Rustoleum, Came out great! I will post photos of the 342 I just did. Also did the uprights with Rustoleum Allis Chalmers Orange and matches perfectly!

I used Rustoleum 2x Black Satin Paint and Primer. I think it came out great. Looks like and just about matches my MIB 342 Postwar Culvert Loader. Now just need to polish the gripper, and this restoration is complete.

Came out very nice.

@brr posted:

Charles Wood train enamels. No on-line ordering. I wasn't all that thrilled with the paint, but he does original colors.

Train Enamels took over Charles Wood:

SEND ORDER FORMS TO:
ATTN: Train Enamels
4513 Mahoning Ave. NW.,
Warren, Ohio 44483

CALL, FAX OR EMAIL US:
Sales[at]trainenamels.com
Fax: (330) 847-1736
Tel: (330) 333-9831