Lionel paint for touch-ups

I've used a sharpie to touch up similar items.  Maybe hit it lightly with steel wool first (don't scuff the plastic).  Gun bluing might also help - it's available as a marker.  Either method will still be visible if you look closely.

I understand that it can be aggravating to look at, but it's doubtful that anyone else will notice.  I'd be tempted to either do nothing or try the sharpie, and enjoy running it.  I don't think that it affects the value much, and if you're looking to sell it then the repair should be disclosed anyway.

@TC8436 posted:

Need some help regarding Lionel paint or touch-up paint on these door guides. This is the #3356 Santa-Fe Horse Car Postwar Celebration Series 2005.

These guides are not screwed into the shell  I'm pretty sure they are glued on. I have read some post about using a sharpie,  any suggestions would be appreciated?

I have seen replacement door guides on the Lionel site and eBay but there for the actual postwar horse car not this more modern version.   

Thank you         

Sharpie will work, how are your painting skills? Might try Matte spray paint and clean rust off then mask the car so you don't get overspray, I also have used a gun blue on some items and worked out pretty well, maybe a Testor paint or other hobby black and brush on, good luck with your project. God Speed

I would try gun blue first. You can remove them by placing the tip of a soldering iron on the head of the rivet and lifting with a small screwdriver under the guide. That would make them easier to paint with a rattle can if you go that route.

Pete

Guys...I moved this to the proper forum.  It certainly is NOT a 3-rail scale topic.

Thanks for all your suggestions much appreciated!

One more suggestion - I think those post war reproduction series door guides are painted.  Krylon makes three shades of black plastic compatible paint,  The colors are: Gloss Black, Matte Black and Flat Black.  What you want is the middle amount of gloss, or the matte gloss version.  You could try spraying some paint into the top of the can, and then take a q-tip, dip it in the paint, and refinish the entire door guide.  If your door guides were painted, this should make them look like new.  Make sure you use some blue painters masking tape to protect the plastic part of the car.  Also, make sure the surface is grease free by wiping the door guides with a q-tip dipped into 97% rubbing alcohol.  That will degrease them and make them ready to paint.

Good Luck!