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What color is old iron ?

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 8:08 PM

For paint,  my best lineup so far.

But what would I know,  I'm just a carpenterWhistlingSmile, Wink & Grin

 

 

TF

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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 7:49 PM

Bucks County Extension
Best to build up your iron surface with a base coat and then patina coat (thinned washes) or dry brush. Real iron varies in color across its surface. If you try to paint with just one color, items tend to look like painted plastic.

I totally agree.  There is NO paint you can mix.  Base color, than weathering.

Mike.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 7:38 PM

Old iron is earned.  It is the color of the rails that are spiked to the wooden ties along all railroad lines.

They have been weathering for quite a long time.

 

And that is the color of old IronSmile, Wink & Grin

 

 

TF

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Posted by Bucks County Extension on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 7:20 AM

Really depends on the item, surface texture, setting. I've used Testors Metalizer Dark Anodic Grey and Burnt Iron as base coat and then tinted with thinned washes of Flat Dark Gray and Roof Brown. You can also reverse the order and dry brush Metalizer over Flat Black or Dark Gray base. Metalizer is a great paint, but mind the fumes!

Best to build up your iron surface with a base coat and then patina coat (thinned washes) or dry brush. Real iron varies in color across its surface. If you try to paint with just one color, items tend to look like painted plastic.

 

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, February 8, 2020 2:01 PM

It sounds like you are looking for a suitable paint color.

.

From left to right:

Vallejo Model Color Gunmetal Gray

Citadel Boltgun Metal <-- My Preference for Old Steel

Vallejo Game Color Gunmetal

Vallejo Model Color Oily Steel

Vallejo Model Color Natural Steel

.

 

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, February 7, 2020 4:57 AM

arbe1948
Tamiya make a color XF-84 "Old Iron."  I like the looks of it:  https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/81784/index.htm

Hi Bob,

That colour looks pretty good to me.

Unfortunately I have never had a lot of luck brush painting Tamiya flat paints. I suspect using them straight out of the bottle was my mistake. They seemed to be too thick to flow smoothly. Next time I will try thinning them a bit.

Dave

 

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by arbe1948 on Thursday, February 6, 2020 7:05 PM

Tamiya make a color XF-84 "Old Iron."  I like the looks of it:  https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/81784/index.htm

Bob Bochenek
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Posted by UNCLEBUTCH on Thursday, February 6, 2020 6:27 PM

Thanks for the help.

 I use craft paints,over time I have collected a pretty fair assortment, I usally have what I want and can mix what I need.

But this ''color" kept drawing a blank. I now have a starting point and a few ideas.

Appreciate it

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Posted by snjroy on Thursday, February 6, 2020 5:37 PM

I use Rapido grimy black on a regular basis. It is pre-thined for airbrush use. You can apply it with a regular brush, you just need a few extra coats. It's very good paint and very close to Polyscale.

Simon

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Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, February 6, 2020 6:40 AM

hon30critter
how about Rapido's Grimy Black #330008?

I didn't know Rapido sells paint.  I see there is a dealer near me in Franklin, WI.  Franklin is like a burb to the south of Milwaukee metro area, cool!

Mike.

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Thursday, February 6, 2020 2:17 AM

hon30critter
Interesting distinction! Thanks for pointing that out Ulrich.

I started my career as a management trainee in a steel mill, working the day shift first at a blast furnace, then at an oxygen converter and later on in a rolling mill. Interesting times, back then. The job was backbreaking and I was glad when that stage was over and I could go back to "normal" office life. I learned not only how to make steel, I learned quite a few lessons for life!

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, February 6, 2020 2:00 AM

Tinplate Toddler
Are we talking about iron or a we talking about steel? "Old" iron has a dark brownish color with a slight red hue to it, whereas steel has a black color with a brown hue to it. An anvil is made of steel - if it were made from iron, it would most likely crumble after a few blows with a smith´s hammer.

Interesting distinction!

Thanks for pointing that out Ulrich.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Thursday, February 6, 2020 1:26 AM

Are we talking about iron or a we talking about steel? "Old" iron has a dark brownish color with a slight red hue to it, whereas steel has a black color with a brown hue to it. An anvil is made of steel - if it were made from iron, it would most likely crumble after a few blows with a smith´s hammer.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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    July 2006
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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, February 6, 2020 12:51 AM

UNCLEBUTCH
I know what the color looks like, I just cant mix it.

If you are thinking of something like an anvil or other tool that is in current use, how about Rapido's Grimy Black #330008?

https://rapidotrains.com/products/accessories/protopaint/rapido-protopaint

Maybe add just a touch of white to it.

Here is their dealer list:

https://rapidotrains.com/dealers/dealer-listing

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 9:09 PM

I use many images at this site:

https://www.textures.com/category/rust/257

There are thousands of "textures" here. Browse through the metal, scrap, rust and maybe a few other categories and judge the colors you see.

https://www.textures.com/browse/scrap/295

I download a few and use them for making structure interiors, roofing and such. 

Good Luck, Ed

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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 7:55 PM

UNCLEBUTCH
Are you refering to paint samples ?

No, I was talking about search images of old iron.

UNCLEBUTCH
I know what the color looks like, I just cant mix it.

OK, I get it, I have a couple bottles of Model Master? I think? that are steel, and one that's a little darker.  Any highlighting with different colors, I dry brush.

These are from a transfer caboose I scratch built last year.

Of course, black smith tools will look used, but probably not rusty.

Mike.

 

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Posted by RR_Mel on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 7:37 PM

I worked at a smelter in my teens and the iron ingots were a brownish red after they cooled off.
 
 
 
Mel
 
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by UNCLEBUTCH on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 7:36 PM

mbinsewi
Maybe look at some images, and see what strikes your fancy. Mike.

Not sure what you mean. I've looked at a lot of images while doing reserch for my next build. Along with stuff I got laying around.

Are you refering to paint samples ?

I know what the color looks like, I just cant mix it.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 7:23 PM

I have some scrap out behind the garage, and an old vise, and I see a hint of a redish color on the edges.

Maybe something that's used everyday might not have that, just a well "worn" look, maybe even some of the edges of a piece with lots of use, might even have somewhat of a shiny appearance.

Maybe look at some images, and see what strikes your fancy.

Mike.

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    November 2015
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What color is old iron ?
Posted by UNCLEBUTCH on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 6:54 PM

I'm asking about a blacksmith's anvil, vise, scrap iron, befor the rust stage.

I believe its black  ish ? Dark gray ish ? My eyes tend to pick up a blueish tint.

Any suggestions ?

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