Engine gets a new paint job

[SNOWSHOE]

Since my 10 wheeler is out of commision I decided to start painting my LGB engine from the value starter set.  I painted the green cab black and also painted the tender I built black (was brown)  I took off the red cow catcher and going to put a wood bumper on the front.  I still need to add more detail to the engine and in the process of painting the gold bell.  I still want to weather the engine.  I did not have to paint the front but wondering if I should so it matches the black cab ( the front has a little more shine to it??????  What is the best way to get the black weathered???? Here is what I have done so far.

Not sure if I am leaving the inside of the cab green or paint that black as well

[MountainRock]

It looks good. I'm not too experienced with weathering so can't answer that q.

[ttrigg]

Shawn:  When weathering black, I've always used 3 shades of grey, and two shades of iron oxide.  The way I've done it before: Step 1) fire up the air compressor.  Step 2)  thin down the paints to a "wash", 1 part paint, 2 parts thinner.  Using "Q-Tips" wash the paint on, and using the compressed air, blow most of it off, pointing the air down the sides of whatever I'm working on.  I set the air pressure at 25 Lbs, that way most of the wash is blown off, but it tends to collect in the knooks and crannies, right where I want it to go anyway.  I usually put on one coat of each color before putting the second coat of each color.  Depending upon how nasty or clean I want the piece to look will determine whether I put on thee coats or twenty coats of each color (or somewhere in between).