I suspect someone has already thought this one up. But, here goes anyways. I added two drops of black acrylic paint to about 4 oz of 70% alcohol. Then after it was mixed I applied the mixture down the middle of some ballasted track, the theory being that the alcohol would seep in, and evaporate and leave the paint behind simulating a streak of oil, etc. All it really did was darken the ballast a little bit, and did not reall take to the ties. Am I on the wrong track here?
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Hey Bear
Just off the top of my head, I would say you have too much alcohol and not enough paint.
I would just thin down the appropriate color a little bit and take a small brush and drag it down the middle of the track. I'm not even sure I would use alcohol, just use water or what ever you use for thinner.
"there is more than one way to skin a cat" Quote from My Grandfather.
Have a good day
Lee
I think your mix was too much alcohol and too little paint. Personally, I use India ink for an application such as this instead of paint. You should be able to find India ink at Staples or similar office supply store.
But, if you do use India ink, only one or two drops per quart of alcohol might be enough.
Actually, I do have some India ink, but that really didnt work either.
I add India Ink to 70% Isopropyl alcohol (don't use 90% because it removes paint) drop by drop till I get the correct tint for my intended purpose. Then I use a syringe and carefully let it trickle into the ballast. The alcohol helps disperse the ink, then it evaporates leaving my dark colour. I add more as necessary. Trick is to go slowly drop by drop.
Regards,
Roger
An Air Brush would do a better job. That is what I plan on doing. You can really control the simulated oil deposit better.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I'm using an eyedropper. Would love to get a syringe but without a Rx they are impossible to buy, even without the needle. As for the air brush idea, I beleive it, but air brushes and I do not agree.
Bear,
I use Monoject #412 dental irrigation syringes, available at Amazon and I don't think they require an RX. I also use india ink/70% alcohol to weather the ballast and ties between the rails, the ink does darken the plastic ties, but I paint the ties beforehand. I found that acrylic craft paint and alcohol don't mix, at least some brands don't.
regards, Peter
As for the syringes, flooring installers use them to squirt carpet adhesive thru the carpet to fill in and they have a larger orifice than a medical syringe. Call any carpet store or commercial flooring installation company and ask where their guys get their supplies. You can buy them over the counter for small money. You could also Google Gundlach, Crain Tools, or Roberts flooring tools and look for a local distributor.
edited out my own comment
Around here, you can get large syringes from Tractor Suppy Co (TSC), but down your way they may not exist. Still, you should have some sort of farm type hardware store. They use them for livestock for giving medications. They have the needles too, but they are behind the counter.
You can also get one from a diabetic.
I think you are way to diluted on your mix. I would drop to 1oz alcohol and start at 4drops ink and try a spot. Let it dry and evaluate. Chances are you will be adding many more drops for what you are looking for, but it's a start. Also keep in mind you can put additional drips overlapping already dried drips to make a darker spot. At first it will appear way too dark, but it will lighten considerably when it dries, and besides, grease and oil ARE dark.
I bought a hypo-needle cement bottle at my LHS. I think it is from A-West but not positive. They come with different diameter needles as well.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Just get on the street and pretend to be an addict. The do gooders will give plety of free ones.
Charlie
I took a very small brush, and using the ink wash, I "painted" an oil streak down the center of the ties. Kind of like the dry brushing technique you use on weathering. You can make "oil streak" as dark as you want, and make it fade away, if you wish. Let the ink wash dry in between coats, until it's what your looking for. You probably could do this with your black paint, as long as it's flat.
Mike.
My You Tube