Skip to main content

Hello guys and gals.

Who makes a good rattle can spray paint in "Gunmetal gray" for metal such as brass like in metallic gray finish like the finish on the prewar lionel 763E ?  I will soon have the old Williams Dreyfuss Hudson and will have to reassemble some parts that has fallen off using JB weld and replace the E-unit with a Dallee # 400 and fine tune the drive train.  The factory gray finish on the engine is rather dull looking so wanted to fix him up and shine it up a bit with the new paint job.  I think the gunmetal gray metallic finish will make this Dreyfuss Hudson look sharp !!   Then new decals , wondering who makes custom decals "New York Central" stripes with blue pin stripes from LBR Enterprises ?   Perhaps paint the drivers centers silver or leave it black ?   I will be glad to post pictures here when the work is done.   Need your opinion guys......thanks

"Give the Lord a chance to show you how good he is. Great blessings belong to those who depend on him ! Psalm 34:8 ERV (Easy to Read Version)

 

Tiffany

Last edited by Tiffany
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I have been restoring a few 1688/1688E torpedo locos, along with the 1668 of the same casting.  The two predominant colors are Black and Gun Metal Gray.    The Black is Satin Black by Krylon, if you can find it.  The closest match, and what I have used for the Gun Metal Gray, is automotive "Duplicolor" #BGM0344.  It is a metallic finish, but very close to the original Gun Metal Gray.   Below are two restored 1688E bodies, using Duplicolor BGM0344, to give you an idea of what it looks like, compared to the original finish.1688E twins-a

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 1688E twins-a
Steamer posted:

I used Rustoleum 244228 Metallic Charcoal on the tender for my Gunmetal 225E. The paint on the engine is original. I think it;s a very close match.

225E and 226E

Hello STEAMER

That 225E is a sharp looking engine   I will check out Rustoleum # 244228 Metallic Charcoal, Thanks.

"Praise the lord because he is good! His faithful love will last forever!" Psalm 118:1 ERV (Easy to Read version)

Tiffany

Salty Rails posted:

You might check out the touch up rattle cans for automotive application at the parts house.  Usually smaller cans, may just "fill the bill" for you.  Good luck.

Dupli-color makes a great Gun Metal touch up color but the last can I bought was close out at Ollie's so not sure they make it any longer. 

AMCDave posted:

I'd check out Tamiya hobby paint. I use it and Dupli-color for all my work.....and I paint a LOT!! Tamiya is the best paint I have ever used in 50+ years of hobby building.  They have a light and dark gun metal color. 

This is done with Tamiya spray cans. 

CSXDASH3DSCN3735ICGP9a

 

Hello AMCDave......

That is a beautiful paint job you did on the # 9000 IC Williams geep, I LOVE the looks of it.  I had nothing but GOOD experience with Tamiya # X-18 semi-gloss black that comes in little bottle that I use to do touch ups on my Sunset 3rd S.F. 5011, the paint flows and dries very well    It is good to know that Tamiya makes spray paint, would you happen to know the stock # for the light and dark gun metal gray ?   How many spray cans needed to do first and second coats on the engine and tender and 5- 15 inch aluminum passenger cars ?  (UP-DATE) I just checked for Tamiya spray can paints and found the number # 85094 (TS-94 Metallic gray 100 ml.).   According to the color chart, it appeals to be med. gray so probably will need about 8 cans one for each unit that is locomotive, tender and 6 cars.   This spray paint is for plastics so how did it hold up on metal frames or truck sideframes ?   Should I use metal primer for this since the locomotive and tender is brass and the cars bodies are aluminum.

"Praise the Lord because he is good!  His faithful love will last forever!" Psalm 118:1 ERV (Easy to Read Version)

Tiffany

Last edited by Tiffany
wild mary posted:

Dupli-Color has a nice metallic gun metal gray.  Any automotive store will have it. 

gun metal

Hello Wild Mary

I am having second thoughts about Tamiya spray paint as it is 9.50 per 100ml. can as that's a lot of money when painting the WHOLE train-Loco, tender and 6  15 inch aluminum cars.  Is this brand "Dupli-color" a good quality paint ?  there is few auto parts store near by my apt. What is a good primer for brass (engine and tender) and aluminum (passenger cars).  Have you used this brand before if so can I ask for tips in painting.  I REALLY want the whole train to come out nicely.  Who would have set of decals for the engine ?

thanks guys.........

"I will shout for joy, singing songs of praise to you for saving me" Psalm 71:23 ERV (easy to read version)

Tiffany

 

I can add this to the duplicolor. If sprayed from the can it has a semi gloss sheen, which I imagine would look better on a train. I have used this paint numerous times for model cars and right from the can it lays down pretty smooth. Clear coat gives it a brilliant shine after some cutting and polishing. All of the charcoal/ gunmetal colors I have used are very nice, so you will have to look at the caps for how dark a color you prefer. I have always used an automotive primer under this paint regardless of material. 

Hope this helps. 

Tiffany:

I just restored a pre-war Flying Yankee for a friend using the Dupli_Color gunmetal grey and it was a almost perfect match. I have found that on dicast metal, aluminium and brass the key is proper surface prep and an undercoat of the Dupli Color self etching primer (i prefer the green color over the grey it tends to cover better and show the imperfections better). Once you get the shell ready to paint make sure you wipe it down with mineral spirits, then shoot it with a light coat of the self etching primer. For brass make sure it does not have a clear coat on it. Check for imperfections, sand as needed then re-shoot. Allow to dry overnight then apply THIN coats of the final color allowing them to dry before reapplication as needed. Once everything is dry you can add a clear coat if desired.

I have restored so many trains using the Duplli Color paints that the auto parts folks ask "what toy train are you working on now" when I go in!

Tiffany posted:
wild mary posted:

Dupli-Color has a nice metallic gun metal gray.  Any automotive store will have it. 

gun metal

Hello Wild Mary

I am having second thoughts about Tamiya spray paint as it is 9.50 per 100ml. can as that's a lot of money when painting the WHOLE train-Loco, tender and 6  15 inch aluminum cars.  Is this brand "Dupli-color" a good quality paint ?  there is few auto parts store near by my apt. What is a good primer for brass (engine and tender) and aluminum (passenger cars).  Have you used this brand before if so can I ask for tips in painting.  I REALLY want the whole train to come out nicely.  Who would have set of decals for the engine ?

thanks guys.........

"I will shout for joy, singing songs of praise to you for saving me" Psalm 71:23 ERV (easy to read version)

Tiffany

 

No question the Tamiya spray cans are expensive but as a long time user of Floquil and Scalecoat paints with air guns this is the next best spray paint for fine painting, recently primed 2 brass cars and the finish was comparable to an air gun job.JMO

I agree with the Dupli-color.

For years I used krylon for small jobs.  Then they changed their formula and nozzle, and everything clogged.  I went to Rustoleum - now the same deal.  Nozzles are ok, but they clog internally within a month or so.

I have had no such problems with Dupli-color.  So far, they are as good as gold, and will spray a year later if I bother to shake the can a little.

I have cans of aircraft zinc chromate in rattle cans from the 1990s.  They still work fine.  I suggest the Dupli-color primer, then wait a day.  After top coat, wait a week for the decal step.

Tamiya at my local shop is $6.50 a can and that's a deal. Even at $9 it's worth it. Online at Amazon it is less than $9 for sure. It is the best paint for models for many reasons......I currently have 50 cans unopened and about as many 'open' for my model train and model car projects.  I feel it is the biggest asset to my hobby. 

 

Dupli-color is almost as good. Check out sealer #1699 for a good scale primer. The touch up colors are flat in finish but cover well and most any clear gloss will work if you need it.  

I feel you get the finish you pay for. some folks like those 99 cent cans but I prefer to pay the price of Tamiya and Dupli-color and always get a great finish the first time. 

BAYERIE3toystory1

Attachments

Images (2)
  • BAYERIE3
  • toystory1

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×