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Custom Painting Loco's and Cars...
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I’ve done quite a bit of painting now and have found that many different techniques can be the right choice depending on what you are doing. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer, just what works best for you and the situation. <br /> <br />I prefer to use a spray method for doing the primary colors of the model. Spray cans will do the job, but an airbrush gives you more control of the spray and the paint consistency. They are especially nice when doing a wash for weathering too. The basic airbrushes generally work very well making the more expensive ones not necessary. I use regular masking tape, but apply it very carefully, taking my time. For the first coat of paint, go very light, and allow the paint to make a seal of it’s own on the tape. Be sure to allow proper dry times, especially before removing tape. <br /> <br />For all the detail work I use a brush. A steady hand and taking your time pays off big here. Brush strokes can be virtually eliminated by not going over an area to much, especially as the paint gets tacky. Nothing but practice will help here, but even your first tries can come out pretty well. Try not to be too much of a perfectionist…it will never be perfect…and I’ve yet to see a prototype with a perfect paint job either….so keep that in mind. Paint consistency is a big issue when using a bru***oo. You will find times where you want it as thin as ink (especially when weathering), or fairly thick (single coat coverage). It all depends on what the application is. Trial and error. <br /> <br />As for lettering, numbering, and logos, it’s all decals for me. The only down side of decals is that they tend to trap small air bubbles and “shine” in the right lighting. To get rid of this, use a lot of Micro Sol by Microscale Industries. This stuff is cheap and liquid gold. It basically breaks down the decal and allows it to conform to all the imperfections in the plastic and mold over things like rivets and ribs. The breakdown process takes several seconds so you still have time to make small adjustments to the decal without destroying it as well. Use toothpicks to make small adjustments and use a bru***o apply the Micro Sol. I’ve even used it to get air out of decals applied years ago on a sealed paint job. You just have to use a knife to make minute holes to allow the fluid in and it will take the air out. Again, this requires some practice. And think small on the holes too…just pin pricks. <br /> <br />I like to use a good lacquer to seal the model when I’m totally done. I generally use a flat or matte finish. Use gloss only if you want the “just out of the paint shop” look. I find gloss to look very out of place. <br /> <br />Some advice I would give to you is to go to a swap meet and buy half a dozen of the classic Tyco cars of years past that cost 50 cents each or so. These make great practice paint cars. Get a couple pints of standard brake fluid from your auto parts store. This will work very well to strip them of their thick nasty paint. It’s also reusable over and over again and it doesn’t make nasty fumes so ventilation isn’t a big deal. Just let them soak for a couple days and use a toothbru***o rub the paint off. Once you get that off, you’ll see the molded plastic is actually quite detailed. Use these stripped 50 cent cars to practice on before you tackle your really nice kits and engines. I actually ended up making my father some very nice 3 bay 100 ton Northern Pacific hoppers out of those cheap Tyco cars. Only cost a few bucks in decals, some metal wheels and trucks, and I shimmed some proper Kadee coupler boxes on them. They ride great on the rails and no one I’ve asked could even tell what they were originally. :) This can also give you some practice cars for trying out different paint schemes before you decide on a more unified look for your railroad. <br /> <br />By the way, brake fluid works well for most plastics, but not all. Kato is especially not happy with brake fluid, so be aware. Castrol Super Clean also works very well for stripping and will normally do the job where brake fluid won’t. <br /> <br />Warren
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