The process Lesney used to create such a wonderful finish on early toys was the use of a 2 step painting process, on certain models an underlay of paint was used, and then its top coat. They used this process for many years dating back to the very early 60s, and possibly earlier. Here are 3 examples, The Racing mini released in late 70, The VW, and a early American Station Wagon, released in 1961 (off the top of my noggin)

The Mini...if you look close at the base edges, you can spot the gold underlay used, it gave the model a grand, almost Spectraish type finish, its later orange variation is used as a color comparison - The MINI :

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02328.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02326.jpg

The VW :

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02359.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02358.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02353.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02352.jpg

American Station Wagon :

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02366.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02365.jpg

Part 2 ( I added to many pictures into the first post, just wanted to complete my thoughts to you all,

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02363.jpg

Other widly used base colors were Silver, White and I believe a creamy type off white...

I would love to hear any further contributions or see any blatant examples (such as my early American Wagon that you have in your collections, or just comments !!

Thanks kindly, Steve

whoa. Sweet. I never knew that. What kinda paint did HW use to create its' Spectraflame colors, or the colors on the HW Classics?

I really don't know much of the process between the US and the Hong Kong plants of Mattel, The US plant was much more stable within its production facility, were the Hong Kong plant suffered greatly just in the mixing of metels, which lends itself today to certain colors and casts created in Hong Kong to be so vastly rare in pristine untoned condition...2 problems that plague Mattels Redlines are toneing, and what is known as crumblers...bases that are just falling apart, even untouched examples in blister pacs are subject to this problem - while the finish is not the problem with them, its the metel contained within the toys. As enamel paints started to come into use, Mattel did do Factory overpaints, they would paint the model in one color, and then change the entire color of the model - a example off the top of my noggin would be the Rolls Royce, They are in the background (black and white interior variations) behind the American Tipper variations, as to why, my guess would be possibly fit and finish, or they just made to many in one color...sorry, I can't be of much help, one could spend 3 lifetimes learning just one brand, and I barly know much of anything about Lesney....but I do enjoy them all - for sure !!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/SteveCameron/DSC02285.jpg

wow. Sweet. You seem to have great knowledge in the paint process which is really cool. Great picstures too. When I was younger I found several errors but my grandma wouldn't let me buy them. :( As it turns out, one of the errors was Race Team III Camaro in chrome instead of blue. Worth $50+ :(

Thank you kindly, my knowledge in tid bits comes form many great people, people such as Tom Larson, Steve (Ausbecket),and Christian F, and, of course, many others...fine people whos knowledge is vast. It is fun to share !! A old adage...Share what you know, learn what you don't !!
Steve

I know how that goes. I have an interest in real cars, and I am just getting into diecast seriously this year. Yeah Im a newcomer to the hobby.