Paint Quality on New Purchases

I have no LCT, but lots of MTH. My entire fleet is MTH except for one Lionel Legacy engine and 4 or 5 cars. Almost all new in the last 4 years or so and no paint problems on anything here yet.

Joe,

This topic has been beat to death, however, maybe someone will have an up to date report. These matters are usually taken care of by the manufacture. The only exception would be when you are wanting a refund or exchange. In most cases this would be between you and the dealer. I've heard of cases where the customer would receive "touch up paint" to do the work themselves.

Honestly, should a problem arise make attempts to settle the matter AWAY from the forum first. Then let everyone know the,"score". This way the odds are better that the thread will not be deleted. 

Hi There Pappy,

I searched this topic out and could not not find much posted here, and wanted to know what others experienced here, so I would have a feel on how to proceed with my issue on a high dollar item. I was not trying to start anything by slamming a dealer or manufacturer.

I  have never had this problem, however I did pass on the purchase of a tinplate engine at a lhs because of a blemish in the paint on the cab roof.  On second thought, I should have asked if I could have gotten the set for a discount! 

The item I am am speaking of would not qualify for a discount or touch-up paint. It is a new 400e with a piece that flaked off the boiler, two huge areas on the sides of the tender that have bubbled up, just waiting to be touched and they will fall off. Lastly, the entire top of the tender has spider web cracking across the entire top of the tender.

Trainlover160,

There have been paint issues with some LCT. The issues were centered around the factory not packaging the items with the proper protective padding.  I'm sorry but if there's any imperfection to the paint..its going back. The SG tinplate is way too expensive to expect anything less. Search OGR for UPDATE: Paint-Touchup on Showroom Cars. This subject was started by Tinplateart. Also search Blue Comet Passenger Set Paint Chipping

Sunrise

Sunrise,

I  guess I am wondering why LCT would not use the same packing called out for tinplate traditions. What is frustrating me even more is  that it was not inspected prior to shipment, and I had to pay over $45.00 for shipping.

I would suspect that the folks packing the trains in China didn't follow the full process or there was some sort of communication issue.  Which 400e did you have an issue with?

Sunrise

It is the Lionel conventional orange/blue celebration. I was refering to the dealer and not China

Joe G,

   I have a new Legacy Shay and the paint job is so perfect it's just unbelievable, all my MTH & Lionel Tin Plate is also fantastic.  I have heard of some people having problems with paint, but I am not one of them for sure.

PCRR/Dave

All of the "Lionel Corp" by MTH items that I have are perfect! No problems here!

Good news all,

I called MTH and they were willing to take the engine and tender, strip, prime and re-paint. However, I did not want to wait. The dealer is taking back for me to exchange for something else. He did also tell me that they do not unpack and check the items, unless requested by the customers, as several customers what their items untouched.

There's an upside and a downside to everything.

The Upside:

It would have been a true custom paint job since it would not have been a production piece done in China. With that it would have been like no other.

The Downside:

There would have been none besides your inconvenience.