Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

I quite liked this Joseph Falk that needs some work. It's been painted with some horrible black paint. I have begun to carefully strip it off just using a paint stripper solution ans some Scotchbrite. it's coming off slowly and it's not scratching the boiler I'm just hoping I can get it back to blue. I'll add more photos.

While I can see some bluing it's looks rusty, obviously it's not rust but it has that colour. were the band were it's nice and blue because that area never got paint. 

I'm not sure what I'm goind to do with the boiler. I don't want to polish it, but I've never seen this rust apperance before. I can't leave it like that.

Paul, yes I know how to remove rust but I thought these were brass boilers?

I asked Google and this is what they said:

"In addition to the commonly used brass boilers, some Falk toy steam engines did incorporate steel into their boilers.

While brass was a popular and cost-effective choice for early toy steam engines, steel was also used, particularly in later models or specific designs where its strength and durability were desired.

Steel boilers, though more expensive to manufacture than brass, offered increased strength and could potentially provide better support for other engine components."

Love threads like this, take heaps of pics...... Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Never heard of a Falk with a steel boiler, especially on a larger model like this. I believe you are seeing brass where the bluing has worn through which gives the appearance of rust.

Good luck with your work and the magnet test.  Pray for brass.
I have a Weeden pumper with a steel boiler but it is really cheap,
tinny, junk and RUSTED THROUGH on the bottom.  I tried to resolder\
it but it was hopeless.  I run it on air.

I think I was watching this engine on an auction site.  Which
one was it on?

Good Luck,
Wayne

Using a magnet is an obvious and brilliant suggestion.  Shame on me for not thinking of that.

Eager to see progress as you tackle this project.  My budget has been zero lately, so I'm enjoying the hobby vicariously through others.