SEE HOW EASY IT IS
to convert a worn-out ho-hum tin car
into a shiny new centerpiece for your train.
The common Marx® 551 wagontop tender
in typical 'as found' condition.

As often found, this example has scratches, dents and rust patches on the sides. No collector value here. Fortunately, the roof and frame are in fairly good condition, just a few scratches.
 

Just follow the steps below to convert this common car into a shiny observation car with FauxToys Railroad Wraps.

Clean the body.
Remove any oil or grime with a paper towel and lighter fluid or household spray cleaner.

If the roof is dull, you can use common paste wax to give it a shine, then touch up any nicks or scratches with a fine point black marker.

For a car in bad condition, you may wish to repaint the roof and frame. No need to worry about flaws on the body sides - they'll be covered by the wrap.

Cut Out the Wrap
You can use scissors, or a hobby-knife and metal straightedge.

Darken the Edges
Working from behind, darken the edges of the wrap with a black marker pen. On the overlapping ends, use a marker with a similar color to the wrap; if none is available, leave the edge white on a light car, or color it black on a dark one.
Precurve the Wrap (Important!)
Look at your car. Note where the curve in the metal begins and ends. Now roll the wrap gently in your fingers to pre-curve it for the rounded edges of the body. Be careful not to put a crease in it, but roll it more and more tightly, until it naturally takes a curve that is a bit tighter than the body curve.

Put the Wrap on the Body
Using the bottom edge of the body and the end-sill notches as guides, stick the wrap pieces to the body. We strongly recommend Scotch® Permanent Double-Sided Tape as the neatest and easiest way to adhere the wraps. The copyright notice on each wrap piece should be covered by the overlapping flap of the other side.

If you do not stick the wrap to the body, but stick only the wrap ends together, you will be able to slide the wrap off like a sleeve, and use the same car for several different wraps. You may need to push back the roof pieces until they no longer overhang the body in order to get the wrap off.
 

.
  The Final Product
 A like-new passenger car ready to be added to your railroad's name train.
   

For
FULL INSTRUCTIONS
and
INSTALLATION TIPS
on different car types, see the

Take the Express
FauxToys Home   •   Railroad Wraps   •   Custom Work
How-To   •   Layouts and Feature Articles   •   Links

 How to
Order

All text, photos, and artwork are COPYRIGHT©2003 by David Helber.
They may not be used without written permission.
Contact FauxToys

"Marx" is a registered trademark of Marx Toys, Inc. and Marx Trains.
FauxToys has no connection with either company, except that the owner likes their products.