I have two 1630 passenger cars & a 1631 observation car that need repaints. I recall reading that a solution of detergent & water works well to remove the old paint. Does anyone have a formula for this mixture? Which works better…powder or liquid detergent?
Since those are sheetmetal cars, I would recommend paint stripper or laquer thinner. Will go much faster. The laundry detergent method is more for plastic items that harsher chemicals could damage.
Castrol Super Clean will strip paint and not harm metal or plastic. You can also re-use the stripping solution.
Jim
I have had good results soaking items in Simple Green for a day or two to remove old paint.
rickshay, A little off-topic, but what are going to use to paint and re-letter (if you need to re-letter) the cars?
The “boiling cauldron” method works fine for prewar tinplate with original paint. If its been repainted and primed, then you need a paint stripping solution. I prefer the boiling cauldron method if I’m doing a fair number of pieces. You will need a pot that will not ever be used in the kitchen again. You should also do this method in a ventilated area; but I know several who do this right on the stove in their kitchen. Put your pieces in the pot, fill the pot with water, add 2 or 3 cups of detergent and boil it. No specific time, just keep going until all the paint is gone. Remove and rinse clean. If I only have a one or two cars, I would probably opt for a stripper solution, but boiling works.
Actually, these cars aren’t in very good original condition and, as far as I can tell, aren’t terribly valuable. The trucks were changed over to postwar units long ago. I’m planning to clean them up & paint them in a Christmas theme, probably dark green/red. I might even add some lighting.
These trains used to belong to my wife’s Dad who passed away in the early Sixties when she was 11 years old. They’ve been stored in a basement since then and were not in very good shape. So far I’ve restored three locomotives, most of the rolling stock, and the operating cars are once again operating. I’m having a blast working on this stuff!
We’re aiming at having a Fifties style layout ready in time for the Holidays.
If you have access to sand blasting unit I think this will give the best results.
The boiling method works great as mentioned before if it is in the orginal paint. I have outlined the techniques on my webpage
Rich,
RESTORING SOMETHING THAT MEANS SOMETHING TO YOUR WIFE. Seriously, that’s using your heart as well as your hands. Not so seriously, once wife is interested watching her Dad’s resurrected iron, leave train magazines open to certain pages with objects of your desire circled in red and see what happens. Keep us posted.
Jack
Jack,
Yes, my wife is really behind this project! I pretty much have carte blanche as far as any parts or track items needed. She went with me to Rail Days at Spencer Shops last month and even picked up a Christmas boxcar for herself at the model train store while there.
I could see the gleam in her eye when I tried out the renovated 2026 for the first time & the new smoke unit was puffing away. We’re going to measure out & mark an area on the living room floor this weekend so we can start planning the layout & determine how much track we are going to need.
lmsjim: Your website is fantastic, helpful, and informative. Great for anyone interested in tinplate and for seeing how to restore pieces. I would love to see more pictures of your layout on Sunday’s Photo thread!
Thanks, I am in the process of rewiring and added some new items and will be updating my website soon.
Jim,
My thanks also for your excellent site. I’ve bookmarked it to my favorites!
Well, I did some “cooking” today! [dinner] Ooops, not that kind of cooking. More like Prewar Stew! One of the gals at work found a large soup pot at a yard sale & it was perfect. Just added three cups of Fab powder detergent, three disassembled passenger cars, and set it on the outdoor grill. Never could get it to boil but let it simmer for a couple of hours. Great results! The only thing that might have worked better would be a bead blaster.
I still have a little rust removal to do but hope to be painting by the weekend. Thanks to all for the tips!
I wonder if the wife might be enticed into this restoration project. Aren’t these her father’s old pieces? The rest of you guys, stop laughing. It’s worth a try!
Jack