restoring PW aluminum passenger set?

For the ends I have used Testor's old silver, should be item #1216...It is a very good match for the old silver.  The dome is another story, I have seen new domes minus the glass from parts dealers.  They are a gray bare plastic.  Hand painting them can be very difficult to do.  For the car bodies, you can use a good aluminum cleaner and buff them up, I have used SOS pads with very good results, tape off the name plates...

Marty

Just my take , but I'd be hesitant to use steel wool on Postwar aluminum cars. I'd look for some Simichrome polish (used on automotive mag wheels) and try that first before going to something more abrasive.

Try this stuff, it's very gentle.

Did the same project recently for a local fellow. 

I use Tamiya's Silver Leaf spray paint...an excellent match for the (clean) aluminum, and the spray pattern of the Tamiya rattle-can nozzle is WAY better than Testors,... IMHO, of course.

The vestibules/doors/observation roof are easy to paint, after giving them a good washing in mild detergent, thorough rinse.  I blow dry with a compressor in order to avoid leaving water spot residue.

The vista dome??....  No easy/quick way out, pal.  Patience, soft music, a glass of merlot, a back rub, ....whatever works.  But, I used Liquid Mask by Microscale to protect the eleventy-seven window panes.  First, wash/rinse/dry as above.  Then apply the liquid mask to each pane using a quality brush.  After the LM dries, you're ready to paint. 

You should be able to position the dome to avoid getting any overspray on the inside.  If you are using a spray booth, this is easy.  If not, or if you have any concern about doing this, quickly apply some tape to the inside of the dome.

After spraying with the Silver Leaf, let it dry thoroughly.  Then, using a pointed wood toothpick, carefully work to peel each mask from each pane. (Avoid using any metal pick/tweezers to peel the mask, since they might scratch the panes.)  Again, soft music, more merlot,....etc....works for me, anyway.  Turned out great for me....my buyer/friend was very pleased.

Actually, he wanted one additional, non-PW modification made to the 4 cars.  As with more recent generations of these cars, he had me paint the truck side frames with the same silver paint.  I must admit, it added a lot of 'class' to the set. 

Now I wish I had taken a picture of the set.  Sorry.

FWIW, always...

KD

 BTW...Just a reminder about liquid mask...it's for solvent-based paints, only.  NOT for use with water-based (acrylics), which will dissolve/penetrate the masker.