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Post by Adam on Feb 16, 2024 21:25:30 GMT
It doesn't appear that any tabs, on this car anyway, are broken. Hopefully I don't mess that up when I put it back together. We will see what the other cars look like when I get into them.
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Post by healey36 on Feb 17, 2024 14:06:31 GMT
BobS2056 , here's a shot of the first 253 I refurbished quite a few years ago. Someone had disassembled it, stripped the cab of paint, then just put it in a bag and left it. I bought it at a meet...wasn't even sure everything was in the bag, but I lucked out and it was all there except for one handrail. Used a bit of Wood's "peacock" spray lacquer and some generic orange enamel:  The results are decent. Don Carver re-wheeled it for me. The biggest problem was the tabs for the window/louver inserts were broken. I glued them in with a bit of Gorilla glue, well-clamped. I was fortunate that it didn't expand too much while curing and ooze out of the louvers, lol.
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Post by Adam on Feb 17, 2024 14:54:13 GMT
While I am waiting for the weather to allow for outdoor spray-painting (40s and sun seems to be good enough) I’m trying to decide on the shade of red. Im currently favoring the Mica Red, the one in the middle. I plan to spray it on some plastic or something and see what it looks like against the gold parts.   |
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Post by healey36 on Feb 17, 2024 15:07:10 GMT
A suggestion...after you've painted it, sit it in a sunny window for an hour to bake (outside even better if the temp gets up to something reasonable). A bit of heat can make a big difference in the finish, especially on metal.
Mica Red would be my choice...just sayin'.
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Post by Adam on Feb 17, 2024 15:12:48 GMT
A suggestion...after you've painted it, sit it in a sunny window for an hour to bake (outside even better if the temp gets up to something reasonable). A bit of heat can make a big difference in the finish, especially on metal. Mica Red would be my choice...just sayin'. Which red would you choose? The bright red would really stand out as well. |
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Post by Country Joe on Feb 18, 2024 16:10:23 GMT
I would paint the body bright red and the roof mica red. I’m a big fan of two tone paint schemes. The body and roof being the same color shade seems bland to me, especially on tinplate passenger cars.
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Post by healey36 on Feb 18, 2024 16:53:10 GMT
I would paint the body bright red and the roof mica red. I’m a big fan of two tone paint schemes. The body and roof being the same color shade seems bland to me, especially on tinplate passenger cars. That's a very good suggestion; Lionel had a number of schemes where dark red roofs were positioned over lighter/brighter red bodies. I'm not saying best to go with a production scheme, just that the combination can look pretty good. I've got a rattle can of automotive Cherry Red here...I've been thinking of trying that on something just to see what it would look like.
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Post by Adam on Feb 18, 2024 17:11:32 GMT
Definitely a good suggestion but I’ve got my heart set on Gold for the roof as well.
Gold with the bright red promises to be a really wow combo which is what I am looking for. Or I could be way off and I won’t like it in which case I correct course.
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Post by Country Joe on Feb 18, 2024 18:38:06 GMT
Definitely a good suggestion but I’ve got my heart set on Gold for the roof as well. Gold with the bright red promises to be a really wow combo which is what I am looking for. Or I could be way off and I won’t like it in which case I correct course. I hadn’t thought of painting the roof gold. I don’t think I’d like it but then I’ve seen Lionel cars with either blue or green bodies, yellow or cream windows and doors, and silver roofs and they are quite attractive. There are probably other color cars with silver roofs but blue and green are the only colors I remember seeing. What the heck, paint it red with a gold roof and trim and see if you like it. If you don’t like it you can strip it and try a different color combo.
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Post by rtraincollector on Feb 18, 2024 19:35:11 GMT
I like the idea of bright red with darker red. I believe they where actually red ( not bright) with a darker red roof.
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Post by Adam on Feb 18, 2024 21:39:35 GMT
Definitely a good suggestion but I’ve got my heart set on Gold for the roof as well. Gold with the bright red promises to be a really wow combo which is what I am looking for. Or I could be way off and I won’t like it in which case I correct course. I hadn’t thought of painting the roof gold. I don’t think I’d like it but then I’ve seen Lionel cars with either blue or green bodies, yellow or cream windows and doors, and silver roofs and they are quite attractive. There are probably other color cars with silver roofs but blue and green are the only colors I remember seeing. What the heck, paint it red with a gold roof and trim and see if you like it. If you don’t like it you can strip it and try a different color combo. Thats the plan. It's what is in my head so I need to scratch the itch. You all may be right that this will be too much. But we will see. Trial and error.
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Post by Country Joe on Feb 18, 2024 21:45:32 GMT
I hadn’t thought of painting the roof gold. I don’t think I’d like it but then I’ve seen Lionel cars with either blue or green bodies, yellow or cream windows and doors, and silver roofs and they are quite attractive. There are probably other color cars with silver roofs but blue and green are the only colors I remember seeing. What the heck, paint it red with a gold roof and trim and see if you like it. If you don’t like it you can strip it and try a different color combo. Thats the plan. It's what is in my head so I need to scratch the itch. You all may be right that this will be too much. But we will see. Trial and error. That’s often the way we learn in this hobby.
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Post by mrmeep on Feb 20, 2024 6:22:41 GMT
Go with the rare "Mojave" color scheme that these came
in for a limited time.
"Mojave" is sort of a tan/sand.
Windows and number boards are maroon/dark red.
Lettering/numbers are gold decals/dry transfers.
I did a set like that many years ago. They are unique.
Sometimes you can see these at train shows for sale.
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Post by Adam on Feb 23, 2024 12:31:18 GMT
The Red and Gold look great together (in my opinion). Christmas themed look. I also want to replace the OBSERVATION lettering. Would I just use a waterslide decal for that? One more coat of red and cleanup/paint the trucks. Then reassembly.  Attachments:
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Post by healey36 on Feb 23, 2024 13:07:14 GMT
Here's a nice decal set that would work great for you...black lettering for the gold background and gold lettering for the red background. Decals |
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