What is the 'latest and the greatest' in locomotive paint these days ?
The Juniata Terminal E-units look particularly good.

My experience is with Dupont Centauri with the hardener kit.

I know Dupont Imron is quite popular and does an excellent job, but its pretty wicked stuff that necessitates wearing of a "space suit" with a separate air supply. I got some on my hands while using it a few years ago. I ended up having a severe skin condition that required medical treatment which took weeks to heal. I've heard Centari is much friendlier.

There are all kinds of issues with using Imron-i.e., cost, environmental/ health concerns and ease of application.

While Centauri is somewhat 'friendlier', the addition of the hardener package makes that material almost as poisonous as Imron. I recall shooting Centauri using both a supplied air respirator and a 'zoot suit.'

My thought is to investigate something used by some of the automotive OEM's-that is a water-borne basecoat or coats topcoated with a catalyzed urethane clear. If nothing else, the amount of VOC's released into the environment is diminished greatly.

Comments ?

Agreed on use of Centari without protective gear!!

We have just used a coating system (or rather had it used by a contractor) that is an enamel/urethane coating developed for marine use and on offshore drilling platforms, etc. So far in last two years it is holding up well. It is from a European outfit (the name escapes me right now) that we were referred to and found tech info on an internet search. Most of these firms have US distributors and reps.

I doubt any real significant coating system can be applied safely or well by us 'hobbyists' working piecemal and often outdoors.

But I think the real secret is to get some sort of shelter or protection from the elements. If repainted or restored equipment is to reside outdoors, you might as well resign yourself to repainting it every 6-8 years if you want it to look sharp.

Bob Kutella