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How to Restore Antique Toy Trucks

Antique toy trucks are usually made of cast iron. The casting process allowed for greater detail in the models. Toy trucks come in all shapes and sizes, from miniatures to large enough for small children to sit on. Although they are toys, many had excellent detail and were very accurate reproductions of trucks from the era. Antique toys can be a piece of history and are considered highly collectible. To restore your antique toy truck, you need to start by giving it a good cleaning and removing old paint.

Things You'll Need

Plastic bucket
Rubber gloves
Caustic soda
Plastic tongs
Sink
Cold water
Small wire brush
Large wire brush
High table or block of wood
Spray metallic primer
Spray metallic paint
Small detail brush
Metallic silver paint
Satin black paint

Instructions

- 1
  Place the truck in a plastic bucket. Pour enough water into the bucket to immerse the truck. If the truck is large, use a plastic tub.
- 2
  Put on some gloves, then add caustic soda to the water. Let the truck sit in this solution for about three minutes. The purpose of caustic soda is to remove all the paint on the truck. If your truck is larger, it may take longer than three minutes. Use plastic tongs to remove the truck. Any remaining paint should flake off.
- 3
  Rinse the truck and your tongs under cold water. Make sure to rinse well and remove all the caustic soda. Allow the truck to dry completely.
- 4
  Go over the truck with a wire brush. After using the brush, avoid touching the truck again as much as possible. The grease from your fingers might affect paint adhering properly. Place your truck on a surface where you can paint it. Use a piece of wood or a high table, whatever it takes to get it to eye level.
- 5
  Cover the wheels with tape if they are rubber or plastic. Prime the truck with a metallic spray primer. Allow the primer to dry completely before continuing.
- 6
  Repaint your truck whatever colors you wish using a metallic spray paint. You are going to paint the entire surface first with one color. It's best to paint in layers, letting one coat dry completely before continuing. If you wish to apply a second tone, mask areas that you don't want the second tone to hit with tape and spray paint again.
- 7
  Use a brush to paint small detail, masking the truck where needed. Paint the grill and fenders with metallic silver. Paint the underside or plate, if there is one, with satin black along with the wheels, if they are metal.

Collecting Vintage Toys