I have wanted to start an information discussion for a long time on the subject of commercial paint products that are either very close or exact match to lionel colors. This subject seems to get discussed incidentally for a single color match inquiry but not in an on going thread. So I will begin by posting three consecutive replies for commercial off the shelf paint that I know to match Lionel colors. I hope others will contribute to this thread and keep it going for the benefit of everyone. Lastly, I am not trying or wanting to cut into the custom Lionel paint available from Charles Woods. We should all be grateful to have him as a source for Lionel paint.
Black: For steam engines. KRYLON semi-gloss 1613 is reported by many as spot on match. I tried it over the weekend and can confirm this. You can fill chips, lightly sand and the use Detail. Master polishing abrasives to blend and then rub with a piece of denim or paper towell to smooth the spot and perfect the blended touch you.
Silver: TESTORS silver metallic. On vestibules, silver shells and accessories. The match is so close as to be undetectable under closr scrutiny in the brightest light.
Red: TESTORS red A train shop owner told me an about this color for 200 series ALCOS such as the Texas Special and the Minneapolis and St. Louis. It is a close match especially of a very little flat red is added with care and testing to get the right sheen.
Just FYI, Krylon 1613 isn’t readily available off the shelf any longer. It can be found on ebay though.
I agree the testors silver is just about dead on. I found the Krylon , IF you can find some, to be the best, although SEM trim paint is great for steamers too. I have also used Valspar black farm implement paint and found it to be ideal. But I think they just stopped carrying that.
Roger
KRYLON is available with no problem here in Canada at WalMart I bought 2 of the Black just the other day
Do you think there would be interest in doing the same thing for American Flyer?
I’d have interest. I have several prewar American Flyer cars that could use freshening up. To my eyes, this paint seems to be a heavy, thick enamel, almost like todays powder coating.
The pre-war is on really thick, but is is durable!
the good thing is your in Wal-Mart you look at the Krylon paint can and say hmmm that looks close so you buy it. It’s not that expensive about $3 - $4 you do a test spray on a piece of wood or something to get a idea how it will look. I do it often and not always Krylon
Looking for grey to match roof of Lionel 2421 Passeger Maplewood. (Darker grey not silver.) Hielsie
I’m going to be looking for a close match to gun metal grey ( prewar like 1688 tender )
Try visiting an Ace Hardware if there’s one in the neighborhood and check out the varieties of Krylon, Rust-Oleum, and Ace brand paints. What they’ve got may just amaze you.
I’ve used Rust-Oleum black barbeque paint on some railroad lantern restorations and it looks great!
Barring that, visit www.henningstrains.com and check out their Lionel restoration paint selection.
I know this has been spoken about a lot, but I’lol be the first to admit that I can be a little slow on the pick up.
Can someone point me in the right direction to Krylon 1613 (understand it discontinued). Need a picture of can and correct current name since there are variations.
Also are there any suggestions to, off the shelf, to, the green and gray for a 2400 car?
thank you all so much!
Sorry to be late to this post. I need to freshen up a few nicks and scrapes on the main body of a Lionel 3435 Traveling Aquarium Car (c 1960 version, with common yellow lettering and no yellow/gold paint around the “L” opening mid-car). Is there a commercially available green paint that is a close match? Thank you.
Hennings Trains sells Lionel matched paints.
Larry