This is interesting - I was thinking about it last night actually as I have a few locos with hurt paint that may be fun to spray up.

I suspect the old Marklin locos were sprayed with an industrial or automotive-grade enamel. Enamel as they were less concerned about toxins back then, and looking at the finish I just don't think they used fine hobby paints like we would be including to use today- the paint looks thick. Also, I don't really see a clear coat on old locos, but then again I'm inclined to say they used a hardener of some sort in the mixture as the paint seems really tough.

I'd love to hear other forum members opinion. I think if we are just going for the color a repaint would be easy- especially on something like a 3048 with simple paint work. If we are going to do a proper restoration to a "factory" type finish, then thats a whole other story.

thoughts?

Hi all,


>I suspect the old Marklin locos were sprayed with an industrial or automotive-grade enamel. Enamel as they were less concerned about toxins back then, and looking at the finish.<

Or even a lead-based paint.lead was a tough and well know 'binder'.or even epoxy based as is used on metal,..


> I just don't think they used fine hobby paints like we would be including to use today- the paint looks thick. Also, I don't really see a clear coat on old locos, but then again I'm inclined to say they used a hardener of some sort in the mixture as the paint seems really tough.<

Today's hobby paints are very fine ground(pigments) to provide a smoother finish.


>I'd love to hear other forum members opinion. I think if we are just going for the color a repaint would be easy- especially on something like a 3048 with simple paint work. If we are going to do a proper restoration to a "factory" type finish, then thats a whole other story.<

On a dampflok,yes it very easy.Factory finish would be buying for Ritter.


Dr D

This comment is just for the Red colour used on the steam loco's.
I have owned and run Marklin since the mid fifties as a boy. In recent years I have taken to competely overhauling some of my older Steam Loco's. Its intersting to note that even when new the plastic moulded side frames of the tenders did not match the paint colour of the Loco. It is easy to do a better job than the original and I cant really see the point, these items were sold as upmarket toy trains sets and although the detail is good for when they were manufactured it doesnt however compare with the new items which are near perfect.
So to the colours, do you want to match the faded pink that most of these old loco's now have or do you want the original colour.These old loco's were painted without primers It appears that they were probably Aquablasted to remove casting flash and provide a good key for the paint. The most likely paint type would have been a Cellulose based paint as this would fit in with the paints generally used for spraying from that period, probably up to the 90's when legislation bought in water based coatings.
I have looked at and tried lots of red colours and have settled on this one. The colour I use is a VW car colour LA3AG6 Mars Red. There is a slightly pinker colour VW L32k Phoenix red.which I have used , these colours are readily available from autostores such as Halfords here in the UK. They are solvent based, quick drying and durable, the spray style from the tin is similer to that used at industrial paint facilities (definately no airbrushes no acrylics no enamels, and no varnishes). and they still do not match the tender plastics.
Anyway these are my suggestions. The loco's I have completed look as good as they did when new.

Just keep them working

And does anyone know of a good durable mat coat for the plastic loco bodies?