Getting Rid of the Details (And what's with the cheap red windows anyway?)

[SpaceMouse]

I have a couple models I want to airbrush, but they have all these cool brass details and grab rails. How do you take those off for repainting?

Both my Heisler and my son's Spectrum 2-8-0 have these palstic red windows put into the cab of the locos. They make a well detailed loco look like a cheap plastic model. Has no one ever pointed this out?

[Fergmiester]

Red Windows are not uncommon on the real engines, Personally I like them. You may be able to dull them with a very watered down coat of india ink. Dulcote may also take the "plastic" look away from them.

As to brass detail parts you may be out of luck on this one and keep them all one colour or have to learn how to do some intricate masking. Tamiya makes a very good masking tape for the hobby industry.

Fergie

[SpaceMouse]

That's what I was getting at Fergie, not the color. You'd think that some one would notice the windows and run a coat of dull coat over them before they are installed. It can't cost that much to spray them before you cut them off the tree.

[Anonymous]

If the red is annoying the green interior of the cabs is wild. I have two photos of the interior of UP 844 and its like some kind of bright irish green.
I think it would drive me insane

[CNJ831]

QUOTE: Originally posted by unionpacific4018

If the red is annoying the green interior of the cabs is wild. I have two photos of the interior of UP 844 and its like some kind of bright irish green.
I think it would drive me insane

One shade or another of green was the standard for cab interiors on a great many railroads during the steam era, just as were red window frames and certain other small locomotive details. Dulling down/weathering too bright a hue of any color on a model has ALWAYS been the province and choice of the hobbyist. Why should it be considered a problem or distraction?

CNJ831

[Eriediamond]

Hey Chip, this post takes me back to an earier post about the cost of this hobby going out of sight. Some of us are not willing to pay for a factory weathered model. Seems we complain about the quality when manufacturers try to keep cost down then turn around and complain about the high prices charged for the higher end stuff with more detail and such. As for repainting, you may want to check out what is called liquid mask, I believe. You can "paint" those brass details with it, useing a small brush or any other area you want to mask off then when the paint is dry, just wipe it of with a rag. Been useing it in the model airplane hobby for years. Ken P.S. Check out www.towerhobbies.com for this.

[selector]

Or, use the rail rusting technique bandied about several times over the past three months: coat with vaseline, cooking oil, even nail polish will do. It only has to be a light coat, enough to wipe off or dissolve with alcohol, acetone, turpentine, paint thinner, WD-40, etc.

Yes, all of these cleaning agents have worries that go with them, but what about our hobby is simple or easy if you get right down to the nitty-gritty about detail this and detail that?

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Eriediamond

Hey Chip, this post takes me back to an earier post about the cost of this hobby going out of sight. Some of us are not willing to pay for a factory weathered model. Seems we complain about the quality when manufacturers try to keep cost down then turn around and complain about the high prices charged for the higher end stuff with more detail and such.

It would have been better if they would have left it alone. They do a good detail adding brass and handrails then do a cheap job on the windows. I'm not looking for them to weather the engine, just not do a lousy job when none at all, or a coat of dull coat when the window is still a hundred of them on a tree-which would be a low cost solution to the problem.

[Virginian]

On most of my red windows the pane dividers are cast into the clear windows and painted, and I am glad they did it because that could be tough.