Ugly old EZ track--Part II

[SpaceMouse]

Well, I decided on grey ballast for the Hogwarts layout. But the EZ bedding is half grey (NS) and half black (Steel). My original plan, based on suggestions was to spray the whole track grey and clean the paint off the top of the rails. But that would leave the ties grey. If I want the ties black or brown, I have to paint them.

My new idea is to spray the sides of the bedding grey and touch-up the in-betweens with grey on the black sections of track. Since I will be covering with ballast, I don't have to be perfect.

Any suggestions or better ways to go? Which way would you do it?

[bcammack]

I picked up a dark brown "paint pen" at Hobby Lobby last year. Like a felt-tip pen, but full of paint. You could spray the track the desired ballast color and then use something like that to quickly go through and recolor the ties.

Lightly spread a thin coat of petroleum jelly on the rails and the spray will wipe right off of them after it's dried.

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bcammack

I picked up a dark brown "paint pen" at Hobby Lobby last year. Like a felt-tip pen, but full of paint. You could spray the track the desired ballast color and then use something like that to quickly go through and recolor the ties.

Lightly spread a thin coat of petroleum jelly on the rails and the spray will wipe right off of them after it's dried.

Good tips.

[babefluff]

I have used black EZ track with Atlas code 100. I just ballasted the EZ track along with the code 100 and it is pretty hard to tell the difference. One word of advice though, brush on non-diluted white glue on the sides of the roadbed before you sprinkle on the ballest and wait for it to dry before you finish between the ties.

Scott
Not everyday may be a great day, but everyday is a good day.

[Jetrock]

I'd recommend painting the whole schmeer "railroad tie brown" or some equivalent--typically the sides of ties rust to a dark brown color not too far off from the ties. Worry about ballasting after you've painted the ties and rails. If you really want you can swab a little rust-colored paint onto the rails with a micro paintbrush, but it really isn't necessary.