Hi Crew! I hope you're well.
First, a Thumbs Up to you guys that have been sprucing up your passenger trains! Cool going.
I've received email questions from passenger cars modelers from this, and the I.O forum, that have had "accidents" occur with painting/metalizng their HO and N scale shells. I'll respect privacy and just say that one modeler accidentally dripped paint thinner onto a metalized vestibule door on a shell that was curing and another put a scratch in the metalizer below the fluting. They sent me photos and, I was baffled at first. Not being disrespectful, but my reply was "It looks realistic!".
I gave sugguestions as to how to repair the issues, but respectfully reminded them that prototype stainless steel cars, even in excellent shape, have their share of dings, dents, discolorations, scratches and blemishes.
OBSERVATION: Ok, I don't mind being roasted for this but.........I've noticed that some of the modelers that do an AMAZING job in weathering their freight cars to Blue Ribbon realism want their "plated" or metalized cars to appear near-factory perfect! Won't even weather the undeframe (why?) Not a criticism, just an observation.
Ok, here are a couple of samples of my "Oops Moments!" that I winded up liking:
1. Budd Coach: Look below the small window, the roof, and end window. I picked up a bottle of 91% alcohol, that still was wet on the sides, and moved it to a work table. Goofy me carried it over the shell while it was still curing, and it got hit with several drops. I was mad at myself, at first. But after weathering the trucks and underbody, imho, the "blemishes", IMHO, fit in realistically
2. Budd 10-6 Sleeper: I damaged the surface on two spots (before clearcoating) as I picked up the shell, in a hurry, with some solvent still on my hand! So why didn't I follow my own advice about "Not Rushing", LOL?! Buffed it slightly, then stopped when I realized that, again, with weathered trucks and underframe the unit actually looked more realistic (imho).
My respect to you if your plan is to keep your varnish looking pristine. For those on the fence, a good number of our prototype stainless steel railcars accumulate blemishes and discoloration over time, even when in fairly new or restored condition. So.....why sweat it when you get a minor "boo-boo"! Enjoy your rolling works of art.
Samples of prototypes with "Oops" surfaces:
A. AmCan (credit to photographer)
B. AmCan with noticable "schelp" underneath the blue! (PHOTO by MATT DONNELLY)
C. Ex-SCL restored Budd unit with marred surface: (Photo by D. Dixon)
D. Budd Observation with dings and dents: (Photo Credit: Carl Fowler)
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I never weather my passenger cars except for the underframes.
I only have a handful of shiny stainless steel cars, and none of them look as good as your "goofs"!
Thank you for sharing.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hi Kevin,
Thank you kindly. I've should have taken photos of some my other "Ka-pootzky foul-ups", LOL!.
Some of you might remember this Obs unit from years back. Came out very nicely and was planning on adding exterior details. But at a later time, this car derailed and fell off of a shelf layout. You can see the results. Interestingly, the resulting marring of the rear roof surface resembled sheet metal damage. But in a case like this I do draw the line and perform paint blend repairs.
But my intent on posting this thread was to encourage passenger car modelers that are trying out metalizing to simply relax, have fun with it and not to be so "self-critical" for minor glitches.