Restoration of "restored" Lionel 2025

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Greetings-

I recently inherited a Lionel 2025 steam engine and tender that seem to be in pretty good shape. This is my first and only experience with early postwar models. The only issue I have found besides the usual smoke grime and gummed-up grease is the shell. It has been painted a flat black in acrylic paint and it looks terrible. The original paint appears to be intact underneath, and I would like to remove the acrylic without damaging the coat underneath. I would also like to retain the original numbers on the cab and Pennsy plate on the front, which were left unpainted.

Can someone please offer suggestions for removing this paint? I know several solvents can remove the acrylic, but I do not know if the shell is painted underneath or powder-coated, and how the numbers were applied. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

I know it may be easier to just remove all paint and start over, but the train has some family history and I would prefer to simply remove the top coat.

Thanks!

2

I would try using water. Just soak it for a while, and the paint should flake off. It’s a lengthy process though, and a light dish towel or something might not hurt to “help” the paint off.

3

Try a soft toothbrush with the water. Once you get acrylics to start flaking it’s usually easy to undo everything quickly.

Becky