I think I took some paint off when I scrubbed the shell with an old toothbrush and some dish detergant. So the paint is not as glossy as it used to be. I think that my 2055 had been repainted sometime in it’s life because I can see a faint masking lines around the cab numbers. Did I make a bad mustake on this engine? Should I have used soapy water instead?
Original paint is not normally glossy.
In any case, however, after washing in soap and water, I will often give the boiler a good rub down with 3-in-1 oil. It gives it a nice, but not over done, shine that is not permanant.
Hmmm…Sorry about the post about a layer of paint taken off. I guess it sounded stupid I sortof paniced alittle bit. Sorry about that. I guess someone already put some 3 n 1 oil on it at one point and I just took it off when I washed it. So the paint on these engines were flat and not glossy at all? I thought it was a semi gloss black.
My engines always come out dull after I clean them. I usually use either a spray coat of WD-40 or Pledge Furniture Polish to restore the gloss. They are a little too glossy after I first apply the spray coat, but they dull nice with time. I think the spray is a little easier to apply then 3 in 1 oil.
Good Luck…
Earl
The Lionel engines were origionally a semi-flat black.
Krylon makes a semi-flat black paint that is about as close to the origional sheen as currently available commercially.
Kurt
If you are so inclined, it is in perfect shape for weathering. I have ridden behind and seen a lot of steam engines in my 77 years and the only glossy or semi-glossy finish was on engines just shopped and painted. Most became dull and flat early on! High heat was one major factor in paint gloss detoriation.
I applied the pledge furniture polish and it works great. I just got a 224E in gunmetal grey today and I cleaned the shell and mechanism in it. It was more challenging to take apart then the 1666. I also put several coats of that furniture polish on it and it really shines!! Looks good to me. Thanks alot guys!!!
X2 on the Krylon semi-flat black.
I’ve used WD-40, vasiline, auto wax and probably other stuff. Most of it works pretty good. The engine shells are tuff their paint seems harder and tougher to chip than any cars. When cleaning, just be careful of red painted and silver painted postwar cars. That paint will fade easy.
Great catch on the gunmetal 224E, Thats a great engine!
I think that if you use a plain dishwasher detergent you’ll be bette off. That means no scents, coloring or additives.