FReeper model builders? A question.

[ExGeeEye]

I'm looking to repaint a small steel toy.

It's nearly 50 years old, and some of the paint separated while in storage and fell off.

I'd like to repaint it, and thought of brushed-on model paint as the best solution. However, model paint is usually sold near plastic models.

So, the question for model builders: can these paints (like Testor enamel) be used for steel parts, or is there something more suited?

Thanks :)

[minnesota_bound]

Complete Guide To Miniatures and Model Paint: How To Choose Your Paint
https://geekandleisure.com/best-paint-for-miniatures-models-buyers-guide-364/

The Best Paint for Metal
Find the perfect paint for all your metal surfaces indoors and out
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-paint-for-metal/

[jacknhoo]

If it’s diecast metal it’s possibly a zinc and aluminum alloy rather than steel.

[Fresh Wind]

There are loads of videos on YouBoob of people restoring toy vehicles.

[skr]

Testors is oil-based which is what you want for painting on metal. It’s manufactured by Rustoleum. I’m not a model builder. I used to have an art supply store and sold Testors. We also used it in the picture framing/lamp and art repair workshops.

[ExGeeEye]

Tonka, sheet-metal folded and riveted, attracts a magnet.

[SirFishalot]

https://youtu.be/Sh1rJBfXFpY

[redshawk]

If it’s valuable, repainting could destroy the value to a collector.

[sphinx]

Ping

[equaviator]

[Ikeon]

You can just paint it, again and again, until you clean and sand it, then primer it and then use a good quality spray paint. Proper prior prep prevents piss poor paintjobs.

[Gay State Conservative]

Bring it to a Porsche dealership...they’ll take good care of it!

[rockrr]

Not a model builder but I have been restoring an instrument console on an old truck and needed brush paint (mostly fluorescent Orange for the dials). I’ve had heck of a time sourcing paint. Good luck with your project!

[nascarnation]

I’ve done a bunch of those where I stripped them to the bare metal and used Rustoleum spray paint with good results. Heat your spray cans in hot water ahead of time and you’ll get excellent coverage. Let dry for at least 48 hours before handling.

[nascarnation]

The ones I’ve restored are where they were owned for a generation or two by people who want them to look like “new” for their grandkids. Frankly I’m surprised at how much folks will pay to get this done.

[Paleo Pete]

Pay close attention to what redshawk said.

If you refinish it, you render it much less valuable to a collector, if you ever decide to sell it to one. Same goes for almost anything vintage or antique.

If it were me, I wouldn't touch it. I have a vintage Electromuse lap steel that a dozen people have tried to get me to refinish. I tell them not no, but hell no. It'll ruin the value of it. My brother got my father's Winchester model 12 pump shotgun, a few years ago he sent it to a friend and had him refinish it, he says it looks almost new now. Itold him he's an idioot, its worth about half as much now.

I have some vintage items, I never repaint them, Idon't even clean out old antique bottles. Collectors barely even look at bottles you've scrubbed and washed out.

Same for basically anything, if the paint is flaking off due to age or mishandling, leave it alone. My 1966 Harmony Bobkat guitar looks like Pete Townsend tried to bash it to bits on stage one night. OK not quite that bad, but it has paint flaking off all over the place, bare wood showing, the pick guard has shrunk a bit due to age, some of the screws actually broke out the edge of it. I haven't even thought about refinishing it. I could probably sell it for close to $300 right now as is. Refinish, it might go for $200...as is though, it has character. So it stays a beat up vintage guitar.

Kinda like this one Rory Gallagher played a lot...sorry, the picture didn't work so I had to look up a video.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=go9J9REtfdA

[ExGeeEye]

I want kids to be able to play with it without pieces of paint coming off, but thanks.