Weathering with an airbrush

[Anonymous]

I would like some advice on weathering with and without an airbrush. I have not seen any really good articals on this topic. What colors are best and what brands of paint? I am currently using Polly Scale acrylic. I have limited resources in my small community and have to travel 100 miles to a good hobby shop.
Thanks,
Randy

[Anonymous]

Hi Randy, First of all in my opinion you are using the best paint to ever come down the pipe for railroad models. The weathering colors in that line are what I have always called "developing colors" as they seem to intensify as they dry. So use them sparingly. My favorite is grimy black thinned about 50% and lightly oversprayed to create a dirty feeling/look to the model. Some of the greys also make very nice dust colors. I don't really care for the rust color...preffer to do that with chalk...but when blended with reffer white and just a drop of caboose red it makes a darn nice flesh color for your little people. You can also use the Poly Scale over regular Folquil with no problems. When the weathering is done I like to overspray the whole thing with a couple of light coats of the Poly Scale flat...seems to bring it all together. Just experiment with it...you'll come up with some combinations you like...Hope this helped....Vic

[Anonymous]

Randy, the best articles I've ever read about weathering with an airbrush were published 2 or 3 years ago in Finescale Railroader. One was written by Mac McCalla, an airbrush guru if there ever was one. Unfortunately, I don't have the magazines in front of me to give you a specific month/year reference.

HOWEVER... if you post you question on Finescale RR's site, "Uncle Russ" (the editor/publisher) can direct you from there. Many of the magazine's back issues are available on-line and most are available via mail.

Go to: www.finescalerr.com , then to the "Letters" forum.

[Anonymous]

Hi Randy,

There have been numerous articles on this topic over the years in the hobby press, and you can access references to them by clicking on the "Mag Index" link near the top of this page. You can order back issues or photocopies of MR articles by contacting our Customer Sales & Service Dept.

Polly Scale is good and so is Modelflex. After a while, people tend to stick with a brand they've had success with. Some MR staffers still prefer Floquil because the results are predictable for them; others like Polly Scale for the same reason.

As for colors, earth tones and grays (light and dark) are best. Start with a light application (whether it's paint or chalks) and build up layers.

Paul Schmidt

[Anonymous]

Hi Vic,
Thanks for the info. Will let you know how it turns out.
Thanks again,
Randy

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info.
Randy

[Anonymous]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the reply. I am looking forward to trying these techniques. Really am enjoying railroading.
Randy

[Anonymous]

I use Poly Scale and find it good, except for the rust. A couple of technique tips you may find useful:

To darken the roof to simulate settled smoke (more for steam era models) spray grimy black from 8 to 12 inches away and let the paint settle on to the roof,much like the dirt would do.

To simulate vertical washdown from the roof, usually at the end of the door track or at ribs where rust often begins, set the brush at a very small paint flow. Then, with a quick wrist flip, pass it from the roofline toward the bottom, angling away from the car side, thus allowing the paint to fan out somewhat.

CanduRwy