I strip everything off, soak the tinplate in Draino, which will remove all the original paint down to bear metal, prime with an auto etching primer then use a good quality spray paint any color you want. I bake the unit in the oven at 200 degrees for 1/2 hour...This makes the finish look like the train just came out of the box. Buy new chimney's and rails if they are dented or rusted.
A tip for the tabs...DON'T BEND THEM BACK.... Make sure you flatten the tabs as flat as possible, this will make it easier to reassemble. Twist them with a needle nose plyers just enough to hold them tight.. If you bend them back there is a good chance the tab will break.
Enclosed are some repainted 259E's.
