I have a Lionel 765 steamer which I would like to restore. It was dropped at some point and the cab rood was folded down about 1/4" on the corner. What is the best way to fix this. I am worried about cracking. I would also like to repaint it. It has been decorated with model paints and I would like to know what is the best way to remove the old paint.
There was an article on this subject in either CTT or OGR within the last 2 years. You can check their online indexes and see what you can find.
I don’t remember the details but I believe it involved making a wood block shaped for the cab roof and gentle heating and reforming.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
[#ditto] read the same article and they used a block of wood and a plumbers tank , in the article it worked out well.Lots of luck and tell us how it worked out
adamdinat,
That bend is fixable.
I’ve read the same article as the other guys as well as some others.
Only one thing to remember- GO SLOW GO SLOW
The key factor in all this is to allow the metal to relax. It would be real easy to end up with a two part problem that would then need epoxy.
You can use a hair dryer set on high or a propane toch (which is faster) heat the area and bend the cab roof upward JUST A LITTLE, allow it to cool, not just an hour but a day or two. The metal has been stretched and stressed. Heat it a little more, bend it and let it cool. Repeat as needed.
Rich
Thanks,
With some paint and cleaning of the mechanism this will be a nice piece.
The Nov 2005 issue of CTT has a good article on strightening a cab roof.
As stated - go gradually and slow. The die castings break very easily.
BTW - to remove the paint, since this is all metal you can use a paint remover. Make sure you clean it very well when it is stripped.
Regards,
Roy