That is a nice cleaned up lever handle you have there. If the rest of the toy looks like that it will be smashing.

Last time I used a heavy filler primer I filled in all the details of the car I was painting. Had to strip it and use ordinary primer instead.

Fill in primer is great for large scale projects like this one, not so great a smaller toy cars. These large scale steel toys tend to pit easily, as most were used as intended, outside in the real world. I am once again considering repainting my Buddy L Mack. It was also red back in the day, and if I can find a decent parts donor, I'll take it back to red again.

Excellent job. Nice save.

Well, here is the painted main body parts! Am just waiting for delivery of replacement wheel/axle retainers and replacement exhaust stack and I can then proceed with reassembly and decalling!

That looks fantastic! Did you bake the finish on or is it straight out of the can?

What a difference from when you first started! This is going to look terrific when finished, but much as we, the 'TC-community' can hardly wait to see the final result, I bet that's nothing compared to how you must feel about bringing that long lost toy back to its former glory. You're getting there, you really are!

Fantastic and the color is very bright and vigrant. Good for you .

Thank you all, I can't wait to get it all back together!  Would like to know more about a baked paint finish. Is it a process one must prepare for before painting (special paint?) or can the finish be baked after? is it as simple as putting in the oven at 350F for 2hrs??  I used an acrylic enamel spray paint.

I don't know about 350 degrees but 200 should do it. I don't go over that temp myself. Lately I have been using infrared lamps to dry my paint. They dry the paint from the inside out so it leaves a nice smooth shiny surface. The oven (I use a toaster oven) drys from the outside in. You have to be careful about the thinners burning off before you bake. Maybe an hour after painting or less depending on how the paint you are using is drying. Acrylic Enamal drys quite quickly

Well, Ladies & Gentlemen, its finished! Thanks all for your tips and moral support as I stumbled through my first restoration. Not sure whats next for me; maybe some of the bigger Dinky or Ertl?? Cheers all !  

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Hi JP

What a wonderful new "old" toy. You really did a fantastic job and I like it very much.

A few more detailled pictures would be great. I hope you enjoyed the resto as much a I always do. It gives a good feeling bringing a old and battered toy back to life and.

Welcome aboard the restoration team

WE have a place for people like you....it is called the RESTO GROUP. LOL

Nice toy and nice workmanship. The paint looks fantastic and the wheels and tires are superb. After all the tin is straight and the new exhaust and all, it is finally complete. I like it alot.

I see Tonka in the furture. OR some other big tin toys