Painting Locomotive Body Shells

[willjayna]

I live in an area that is predominately norfolk southern and I have recently purchased two ho scale locomotives. A bachmann santa fe B23 and an athearn CSX ac4400 and I want to repaint both all black and add norfolk southern decals to refelct the locomotives that are in my area. My question is how do I go about getting started, is there anything I should use to remove the current paint or should i leave it and just paint over it with primer and then flat black. Not sure what the best method would be. Thanks

[cwclark]

There are two ways I use to remove the paint (and yes, remove the paint because old paint and decals can come through a freshly painted shell)   One way is to soak the shell (and i mean submerge it) in 92% alcohol and use a nylon brush (like an old  tooth brush)  to remove the paint. This takes awhile but does a good job of removing the paint without harm to the plastic. The other method i use is to use Poly S paint and decal remover. I'll liberally apply it to the shell with a 1" paint brush and let it sit awhile. then i'll use a nylon brush to remove the paint. Keep appling the paint and decal remover over and over again until those stubborn areas are free from paint.

     Once all the paint is gone, i'll wash the shell in warm soapy water and let it air dry overnight. Then i'll spray it with primer, let it dry overnight, then the next day, start the paint job. NS locomotives are pretty easy to paint and decal since the color is engine black with all white decals. i'll paint the climb aboard handrails yellow with a small artists brush once it's all done. 

   Another helpful hint is to wear a pair of surgical gloves when handling the shell after painting it. The oil on your hands can take the fresh paint off when you start handling it alot when you do the decals.

[SilverSpike]

How timely this tread was posted! Not to take away from the OP but I made the decision yesterday to eliminate Kansas City Southern from my roster and I have 7 KCS locos in my inventory that will need either new shells, a repaint, or just sell em off. I may go with the re-paint since like the OP all would become Norfolk Southern locos.

 

 

[jbinkley60]

davidmbedard

1.  Strip shell (depends on the plastic used).

2.  Prime.

3.  Paint with Gloss colors (decals wont adhere to flat-painted surfaces) or paint with flat colors and then add a gloss coat.

4.  Decal

5.  Decal set/sol

6.  Seal decals with gloss.

7.  Finish with Flat, Satin or leave as gloss.

David B

What's your preference for step 7 ?  I am painting a couple of Kato Dash 9 shells for NS roadname.  I am trying to determine what the final finish should be, gloss, satin or flat.  I am leaning towards satin but am looking for some input.

 

[jbinkley60]

Dave,

If I am not over my quota, I have one last topic.  Which gloss or satin finish do you prefer ?  I have Testor's Dullcote and Glosscote.  I also have Polyscale satin.  But I now see where MicroSol has Micro Flat, Satin and Gloss finish.  Which do you recommend ?

 

[jbinkley60]

Bump..

 

[jrbernier]

Jeff,

  I have used Floqiul Crystal Cote and Microscale Satin - Both are very good hard finish.  Of course I decal over a gloss finish...

Jim