Pondering paint scheme vs. repainting

[dragenrider]

Speleon,

The alternate wet method sounds promising. I'll be picking up some extra shells and junkers to play with painting and weathering.

Thanks to all of you for your advice and layout compliments.

Randy A.

[canazar]

Larry,

You mentioned stripping it with brake fluid. I have heard of that before but question... How do you clean the shell of of brake fluid? any suggestion? I would like to try that

[Anonymous]

Hi Randy!
A couple of thoughts for your consideration.
1) Go to your local swap meet and pick up a couple of shells to match what you run. Then have a great time experimenting with them. If you don;t like what you get toss the whoel thing in brake fluid and start all over again in a coupe of days!
2) I went to a weathering workshop years ago and I learend an alternate "wet method". Here again you might just want to buy some used shells and practice. What I learned was to mix 1/3 matte finish (you get that from a craft store) and 2/3 regular thinner. Get your brush wet with that mix and then rub it on the chalks. Apply liberally to the car / loco and then if you need to you can always use the finisher/thinner mixture to thin down the color or remove it all together. You can weather a 40' HO boxcar nicely in about 20 minutes this way. When it dries you can over shoot it with dull coat if you want, but there's really no need. The matte finish will make the job look great.

Good Luck!
Larry P

[canazar]

I have to second the idea of go ahead and paint them at your conveince. BNSF just came out with there new logo, even though they still have engiones goign back with the original paint from to fallen flags going back 10 years? Plus, evensme used different color schemes for different routes or duties. (BN creams for coal, or SF red and silver for high speed freight) Can always paint a few of them and "issue them to speaclal service". Just some happy thoughts. By the way, good lookin lay out!

[jwar]

Randy Just strolled thru you layout, its fantistic...great job. If you try the wet method you will certently do a great job as you show great talent. Stores like Walgreens have cosmetic brushes for a buck, large and very soff, great for feathering. Let us know how it comes out or email me if you need some info....John

[dragenrider]

Thanks, John, I may give weathering a shot. I do have some old cars I can mess up.

[jwar]

You might take a look into MRs "Practical Guide to Ho Model Railroading", Pg76, Quick weathering with chalks. Its not only very fast but if one does not like it, Its easely washed off the engines shell. Using this wet method of pastel chalks is great. Applying various colors and depth is a snap. I used Pastelo from Staples about $7.00 for a rainbow of assorted colors that the powders can be mixed, by scraping with the edge of an X-Acto knife. The dry method in my openion is not only time consuming, as well as not very effective. I handle mine quite a bit and no noticable harm, seems to stay on very good without using dull coat. One isnt out much to try it. Perhaps trying it on old junker cars first?..Take care...John

[dragenrider]

Silly as it may sound, I'm petrified of trying to weather my engines. I know, I know, if I painted them then weathering should be easier...

I do have a slight difference in stripes on my earlier engines versus my current ones. It's not enough to be noticable.

Thanks for the feedback on the wheels.

[jwar]

Looking at different prototype roads, all seemed to change paint schemes quite a bit. Perhaps slightly changing a few, perhaps adding a stripe or two and compleatly changing a few to your new paint ideas. You could also weather units to different degrees making a new and modified unit look as it it was a natural involvment for your rail road to do. Just a thought...John

[Anonymous]

Hey on the GeeP, I noticed you left the trucks black. If you have grimy black paint the trucks that color. It makes them look better. Also for rolling stock, paint the trucks grimy black and the outside of the wheels a rust color.

[DSchmitt]

Real railroads usually don't paint everything at once. Even shortlines with few locos may have different paint schemes running together for years.

[dragenrider]

I have about 15 engines painted in my yellow and black paint scheme as pictured below. I've been pondering a new paint scheme of over all forest green with white end stripes and white lettering, sort of like the Green Mountain engines.

My problem is that if I paint one engine that way and like it, what do I do with my yellow fleet? I've spent a lot of time and money on those engines.

If I don't like the scheme I can just junk the shell and stick with what I have. It's a big step...

So, have any of you ever had this dilemma? [%-)]

Will white on a medium or dark green even look good? What color green is on the Green Mountain GP's, anyway? [?]