Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Creosote Color For Styrene

2369 views
12 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2015
  • 112 posts
Creosote Color For Styrene
Posted by cnjman721 on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 10:01 AM

I've recently acquired a Walthers Cornerstone Coal Dock and want to paint the styrene trestle and deck as if weathered creosote timbers. Does anyone have any suggestions, references for an appropriate paint?

Thanks,

Ed

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 10:30 AM
  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 10:32 AM

What exactly did you get, the ore dock?  the flood loader?  There is no Walthers Coal Dock.

Give the Walthers part number, it usually starts with a 9.

Mike.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 10:54 AM

Fresh creosote is nearly black.  As  it ages it gets lighter and lighter gray.  It often has streaks of darker material where the material has nnot soaked in as well as other places.  If you are modeling an era where it could be a newish trestle, make it darker, if later eras a rather flat, light gray should work well.  (Fresh creosote is often shiney.)

Good luck,

Richard

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 11:26 AM

I used Burnt Umber, maybe a wee bit of yellow and gray, in this paint mix.

 

If this looks realistic, it's a W/S hydrocal portal painted as described above:

 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 11:28 AM

Maybe the OP means the coal trestle.  This one looks too light to me, we are talking coal and coal dust.

Coal trestle

That is not to say I think you should paint it black.  It would look better with brown, gray and back colors rather than a homgenous black, brown or gray.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    October 2015
  • 112 posts
Posted by cnjman721 on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 11:45 AM
Sorry. Its the Walthers Coal Trestle
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Upstate NY
  • 229 posts
Posted by MikeFF on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 3:01 PM

I paint almost all plastic with a spray coat of Dr. Ben's Driftwood. After it has dried a couple of days, I use thinned paints (mostly Vallejo) with a tiny drop of Golden airbrush reducer and start building up coats with a brush. This takes some time, but is very forgiving and gives great results.

Mike

 

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Portland, Oregon
  • 658 posts
Posted by Attuvian on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 3:38 PM

selector

If this looks realistic, it's a W/S hydrocal portal painted as described above:

 

Not to say that the trestle isn't (because we are seeing it at some distance), but the portal is really quite fabulously done.  I can almost smell it!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 4:22 PM

cnjman721
Does anyone have any suggestions, references for an appropriate paint?

They're a little heavy but I sometimes use the Rustoleum "Camouflage" line of paints for structure and scenery work. They are "high solids" paints so you really have to shake them very well before use, then shake some more.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/specialty/camouflage-spray/

Not perfect but in a pinch they'll do.

The Earth Brown is a good simulation for fresher creosote.

The Khaki can sub for aged concrete.

I like to use a hair dryer on a low setting to speed up the cure of the paint. This especially seems helpful on the Earth Brown color.

I do a lot of the final coloration with Pan-Pastel powdered colors.

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 10:44 PM

Testors Rubber, the one in the small 1/4 oz bottle, makes a good creosote color.  Use it full strength for new wood, or dry brush a grey color over it for more weathered wood

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 11:29 PM

G Paine
Testors Rubber, the one in the small 1/4 oz bottle, makes a good creosote color.

Yup!

Dave

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

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 1:18 AM

Attuvian

 

 
selector

If this looks realistic, it's a W/S hydrocal portal painted as described above:

 

 

Not to say that the trestle isn't (because we are seeing it at some distance), but the portal is really quite fabulously done.  I can almost smell it!

 

Thank-you.  I wish I could be more exact with my memory and tell you more details, but the truth is I surprised myself with this result. It was just one of those things...... Confused

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!