I'm in the process of rebuilding a layout, putting down ~400 linear ft of new Code 83 track. Somehow I doubt that a few jars of Polly Scale will be enough. And in these days of tight budgets, I'm searching for less-pricey alternatives.
I've used latex house paint before. While it's great for covering broad areas, I seem to remember it went on a bit thick. Even the so-called flat latex paint had a bit of a 'sheen' on it that made model track look like...well, model track! But on the 'plus' side, I'm guessing there are light-absorbing textures available in certain colors that I just haven't learned about yet; and a quart of latex will cover lotsa track!
Your thoughts...?
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Latex paint does seem to be a bit too thick and it is also a bit too glossy for my taste. I use a cheap dark brown acrylic paint in a rattle can. A few strokes along the rails is enough to weather the rails nicely. A can last a long way.
I'll admit spray painting from a can is certainly easier! But I've never seen acrylic paint from an aerosol can - is that available on this side of the pond?
I use latex paint all the time. For the rails I use an interior satin latex from Olympic called (what else?) Rusty Rail. If you can't find it here are the mix numbers. 105-8.5, 107-8.5, 109-8.25, 113-10.75. I use it thinned 50/50 with water.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Latex paint is fine for rail,if your worried about it being shiney have it custom mixed and specify you want a flat finish.
TA462 Rusty Rail, lol. Jeff, did you spray it or use a brush? Have you tried thinner and how long was the drying time with the water mix?
Rusty Rail, lol. Jeff, did you spray it or use a brush? Have you tried thinner and how long was the drying time with the water mix?
If you mean painting rail sides: Someone here recently posted about using a paint pen and said it made the job a snap and gave very fast coverage! AM going to look into this meself, as rail painting ain't at the top of my list of fun things to do on a layout. TTFN.....papaHOsmurf in NH
There certainly is an aerosol acrylic paint - it's called Krylon and even comes water-based for use on styrofoam!
It's carried by all the major home stores, like Home Depot (& in Canada, Home Hardware!).
AMEN TO THAT !! ......papasmurf
CSX_road_slug I'm in the process of rebuilding a layout, putting down ~400 linear ft of new Code 83 track. Somehow I doubt that a few jars of Polly Scale will be enough. And in these days of tight budgets, I'm searching for less-pricey alternatives.
Judging from the answers so far, latex paint should work just fine. However, I used Polly Scale to paint my rails and used, if I recall correctly, just two jars for over 200' of track, and that covered both sides of all rails. I used a flat 1/2" brush with fairly stiff bristles, and found it to be very easy and relaxing work. When it gets tedious, cap the bottle, clean the brush, and take a break. For me, the marked improvement in appearance of the track was so satisfying that I didn't take a lot of breaks - this activity gives great "bang for the buck".
Wayne
The track in the foreground in the photo below was painted using the 'Rusty Rails' satin latex paint I mentioned earlier. The track in the background has yet to be painted.
Well, thanks everybody who responded! I would have posted earlier, except my power went out from 6:30pm to12:30am.
I wound up going to my friendly neighborhood Ace Hardware and getting a quart of Benjamin Moore brand exterior latex, in the flattest texture available, in a color that resembles Grimy Black with a brownish tinge. It looks just like the sides of the rails on the nearby CSX Old Main Line IMHO.
Give it a try and post the results here - I´d be happy to see your achievement!
Will do! But first I need to recharge my camera battery...
I'll second the previous suggestion of using the floquil paint pens, they are easy to use, and can cover lots of rails in no time.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Motley I'll second the previous suggestion of using the floquil paint pens, they are easy to use, and can cover lots of rails in no time.
It'll work, there's no doubt about that. I've used it myself and I never said it wouldn't. What hurts me is how much it costs vs how much you get. The price vs amount puts it out of my budget. For that reason I get the most of what I can for the least money and I figure out ways to make it work. I've even used the house latex in an external mix Testor's Aztec single action airbrush by thinning it then filtering it to get out the particles too big for my airbrush (Don't try it with any type internal mix brush. It won't work. Been there and tried that. Still got that airbrush in the bottom drawer in my kitchen. Haven't used it in about 8 years. It's also a Testor's if I remember correctly). I also had to fashion a larger diameter pickup tube from a pipette.
Sir Madog Give it a try and post the results here - I´d be happy to see your achievement!
OK Ulrich, here are my results (wouldn't call them much of an achievement though LOL)
As for me, I'll have to apply the "get-what-you-pay-for" rule: I'm willing to use this latex stuff for background trackwork or yard tracks, but not for photo-critical stuff. Any track that will appear in close-up scenes is going to get Polly Scale acrylic.
For the photos, I used a sample piece of flextrack with wire leads already soldered onto it - that's so any hobby novices who read this thread will realize that all electrical connections should be made before they apply the first drop of paint. And lighting isn't the greatest either, the painted track color looks much better when viewed in person.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Doesn't look bad for a grimy black. I prefer rust myself.
Looks pretty good to me, and, for my tastes, preferable to "rust".