Restoring and painting old trains is addictive. I got addicted many years ago and always look to improve on what I do. I think all who are contributing to this discussion and others who are following would agree. I will responded to Malcom's post as best I can.
Although you want to have the Red Comet ready for a meet on 9/27 you may be overly optimistic, but go for it!
Baking is in the eye of the beholder. I have many very nice looking restorations that were not baked. But, I felt limited to when I was able to paint. Heat and humidity major concerns here in the South. I personally think there is a difference when you bake the enamel, that is why I'm here today.
Prepping is CRITICAL to the end results. Little specs of old paint will show as will dings and dents. Minor dings and dents are characteristics of the piece being restored, and I can live with that. I would address major dings/dents. Blasting booths are SUPER! However, I would not recommend using sand as the blasting medium. I use 80 grit glass beads that do a fantastic job. After blasting I wash the piece in warm soapy water to remove any dust, etc. I then place it in an old toaster oven using low heat with door open to thoroughly dry the piece. I prime as quickly as possible once piece is dry. IMPORTANT to remember is DO NOT touch piece with bare hands after washing it. Use latex gloves while it is wet and then cotton gloves after it is dry. Body oil from handling will mess up a paint job.
Yes, there are critical temperatures. If you build an oven, you need to experiment as to how high temperatures will get in your oven. I am in that process now. In my oven two 75 watt bulbs were to hot AND to close to the oven wall. I will attach some pictures. Three of actual oven and two showing that oven got way to hot.
Recommend you go to Henning's website and print the section on restoring old tin plate. It covers many of the aspects of the restoration process.
