Painting track

[ClinchValleySD40]

Although it might have been discussed before, I'm now ready to start painting the track.

I could use my air brush but with the amount of track I have to do, it's going to be a slow process. I do not allow anything other than water based paints in the house - so does anyone make acrylic or latex paint in spray cans?

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by clinchvalley

... does anyone make acrylic or latex paint in spray cans?

Yep, they sure do:

http://www.dealsonwheels.com/partsandaccessories/detail.cfm/part_id/1182570

However, when I paint the track, I just use acrylic model paint and a brush. It's slower perhaps, but it's not *that* slow! I find it to be relaxing , and I can precisely control the color of the rails separate from the color of the ties, etc.

Spray painted model track always looks like *spray painted* model track to me.

[Anonymous]

The link suggested they only sell glossy paints. Have you seen them in flat black or brown?

When hand painting, what colors do you use? Have you done this in N Scale?

Keep in mind you could always spray the ties and rails, then come back and repaint the rails.

[jfugate]

Also see:
http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=82494&PRODID=46919

This is Krylon's new "Home Decor" line of latex spray paint.

Haven't tried painting N scale track, although I have hand painted HO code 55 without any problems. I use PolyScale, although been thinking of trying modelflex.

Roof brown, and a kind of dusty rust color, don't recall the name.

Here's a photo ...

[Anonymous]

See if you can get a larger paint cup for your aribrush. I have a Passche VL and it came with a larger cup. I was able to paint a large amount of track with just one cup. And, by the time the cup is empty, you can still go back and wipe the rail heads you just painted with a damp cloth. This saves the time needed to clean them after the paint is completely dry. I use a small block of wood with a damp cloth wrapped around it and gentley wipe the rail heads. After this, I fill the cup and continue on. You can get larger cups at most Artist supply shops.

[cwclark]

I usually paint the ties first with spray paint or an airbru***hen paint the rails by hand with a very fine brush...I use floquil's grimy black if i use the air brush and i use krylon's ultra flat black if i use spray paint....after the ties dry, I then get out a fine artist brush and use floquil's rail brown and a bit of floquil's roof brown mixed together and paint the rails by hand...I also put a bit of 3 in 1 oil or wahl's clipper oil on the rail tops so the paint doesn't stick to it and then all i have to do is wipe the tops off when i'm done...don't forget to mask your turnout points and any moving parts on the turnout...made that mistake before by painting them and it was a booger of a time to get the turnout working again (electrically and mechanically)...Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

Why would airbrushing be so slow? you can adjust the spray angle to be bigger. Granted you have less paint to work with per loading, but you can buy 8oz jars for the airbrush.
Reed

[snowey]

there was an article in MODEL RAILROADER about painting track (yep, ANOTHER one[:D][:D]) back in 96 or 97, and the author suggested spraying the ties flat black, then while they're still wet go over them with a light gray, let it dry, then paint the rails dark rust.
That's what I did on my HO layout, and I'll probably do it on my N scale one.

[Anonymous]

Snowey--I have used that technique with great success--except when I photograph my layout. The rails appear a little too red in the pictures. Last month's MR had an article on tracklaying that discussed using Testors colors (Italian Brown and some shade of gray). The photos of the finished product looked great--similar to those posted by Joe Fugate up above.

[Anonymous]

This was discussed on rec.models.railroad some months back. Someone suggested using a permanent marker from Michael's (the craft store chain), Deco- or Decor-something. About $3.

I tried airbrushing and handpainting. I found I could airbrush a lot more track for the same amount of paint than hand-paint. I first oiled the rail tops, then shot the webs, then did a straight down shot with brown onto the ties. A quick wipe of the rails and all was done. The worst part was oiling the rails. Far worse was trying to clean them without oiling first.

I am going to give the marker thing a try, though, just to avoid firing up the compressor and cleaning the brush. Then I'll make up my mind.

[der5997]

Just to throw in another curve: Paint before or after ballasting? Before gives you the benefit of dusting up the painted ties with ballast dust, a very good effect IMHO. Downside is that the ballast isn't weathered by the ral paint overspray, an effect that simulates the prototypical carry over of rail rust onto the ballast by train action.
Too many choices, too little time!
I use acrylic paints in an air brush, and always add flat black to whatever mix of rusty browns I'm using.
Regards.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE:
However, when I paint the track, I just use acrylic model paint and a brush. It's slower perhaps, but it's not *that* slow! I find it to be relaxing , and I can precisely control the color of the rails separate from the color of the ties, etc.

Hi Joe,

That's how I've painted track in the past, on mine and a couple other layouts who paint track by hand, too. One tool I've found that makes painting the side of the rails a whole lot easier, is a gizmo called a Micro-Brush. You're probably familiar with the product, but possibly not in this application (like I wasn't!). It sure helps makes the job of painting the rail sides a lot less tedious and time consuming.

http://www.hometown-hobbies.com/microbrush1

...for a photo and description. You can probably pick these up at a LHS near you.

Take care,

[der5997]

Thanks for the tip CBQ_Guy, I've got a pack of those, I thought they looked useful, but forgot I had them[:I]

[ClinchValleySD40]

Thanks for all the tips. I'll give a couple a try. Hand brushing is not an option - I've got over 2700 feet of track to paint and it would take forever. I'll try some of the spray cans and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

I like the idea of handpainting my track. I am about to restart with an acrylic paint, I've done it before and I like the results. I am using Lewiscraft burnt sienna. I was wondering how to get that streaky oil mark down the center of the track ties. don

[jkeaton]

That streaky oil mark down the centre of the track is often done with a little gloss black - you'll need steady hands if it's not to wander too much.

[snowey]

mix the paint aproximetly 50/50 with water if it's acrylic, or the appropriate thinner if it's solvent based.