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Walthers Open-Air Transload building - what color to paint?

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  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Franklin, OH
  • 153 posts
Walthers Open-Air Transload building - what color to paint?
Posted by rrlcommish on Monday, January 23, 2017 12:29 PM

I love this building and it fits perfectly on my layout.  Probably should have painted it first, but lesson learned.  Anyway, I was trying to get something close to the color on the box with no success.  But I am also open to other colors.  Anyone have suggestions as to what color to paint this beast?  Also, those blue truck bumpers are not very realistic but appear to look much better with some moderate weathering, but they are shiny plastic and might not take washes well.  Again, suggestions?

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,354 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Monday, January 23, 2017 12:45 PM

Aged Concrete with a dusting of dirt powders.

The flat roof was likely a typically cheap tar paper type.  Use a grimy black or even a oily black/grimy black mix.  

For extra credit lay down strips of masking tape to similate the roles.  36" in the most common width.  That translates to ~.4" in HO Scale.

Have fun.  It's a great kit
-D

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,335 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, January 23, 2017 8:49 PM

I'd like to suggest the Rustoleum textured paints in a rattle-can from the hardware store.  This is my go-to paint for roofs - black textured and speckled:

This was done with one the textured but not speckled paints.

It gives a uniform flat finish, but the texture of the paint eliminates any specular light reflections and make it look more like masonry than a flat painted surface.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Franklin, OH
  • 153 posts
Posted by rrlcommish on Monday, January 23, 2017 9:25 PM

Wow, that is a great effect.  I shoulda thought of that since I used speckle paint to do the trunk of my 1972 Gran Torino (my "other" hobby).  Looks nice, thanks for that tip!

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 5:24 AM

Well I started out wanting to have three transload buildings butted together...but had to settle for two...due to running out of real estate. I made up My own color, kept the blue, but changed it to a different shade. All parts were then air-brushed with Tamiya flat Aluminum and then sprayed with desired color, to stop light bleed through. All roofs are removeable for access to inside and all lighting stays with model which is also all removeable which is set in a foundation held in with just two small wood screws. There are only four wires that go down two brass 1/8 tubes, controlling any and all lighting, for a mixture of Led's, incandesants and an EL sign. Most all parts were kit-bashed and scratch built. I am still working on the entire 5 ft area...lot of detail. First pic' is about when I started and was in the Model Frtways publication about a yr.ago:

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

Photo intensive:

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