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How to paint buildings

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  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, July 13, 2018 3:24 PM

Heavy Feather here are some other takes on the Heritage Furniture building

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/202923.aspx

Eastrail11
I meant removing the pieces from their holding things, what every they are called,

They are called sprues, rhymes with glues and there are sprue cutting tools which are useful for cutting free really tiny bits.  I use and xacto knife.  Do not bend the parts back and forth to break them free, it sometimes leaves small chunks of the piece on the sprue.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 23 posts
Posted by HeavyFeather on Friday, July 13, 2018 12:10 PM

Here is a walthers kit I recently did. I washed the parts in soapy water. Primed with my airbrush. Glued it together and then applied pan pastels. 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Southern California
  • 1,682 posts
Posted by Lone Wolf and Santa Fe on Friday, July 13, 2018 12:01 PM

On the smaller details or trim I use a paint brush. If I try to paint large areas with a brush I always end up leaving brush marks so I perfer to use spray paint. My new favorite color is an off white color called Modern White made by Krylon. I use the flat matte finish, not the gloss. You can find it at Hobby Lobby. I try to paint the parts before I assemble it to make it easier.

Modeling a fictional version of California set in the 1990s Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Railroad
  • Member since
    August 2013
  • 10 posts
Posted by ComradeTom on Friday, July 13, 2018 11:53 AM

Stealing some knowladge from my wargaming hobby, while pricey I have been known to use The Army Painter brand primer, it comes in a variety of colors and can really speed up your paint time if you are doing more or less one color with some details and highlights, if your new and dont have an airbrush yet, I highly recomend chalks and washes for weathering.

-Tom

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, July 13, 2018 11:07 AM

This is a large building with flat smooth walls.  I would look at Rustoluem taxtured paint in a rattle can from the hardware store.  The paint will give you a sandy surface which doesn't reflect light evenly,  thus eliminating the "plastic" look of sheet styrene.

I use Rustoluem textured speckled spray paint in black for roof painting.  It gives a nice asphalt appearance.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 1,835 posts
Posted by bearman on Friday, July 13, 2018 10:24 AM

Then you are well on your way to success

Bear "It's all about having fun."

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 66 posts
Posted by Eastrail11 on Friday, July 13, 2018 10:17 AM

Well, by currently build, I meant removing the peices from their holding things, what every they are called, Nothing has been glued or connected yet. I have looked over the instructions, and I started layout out peices (that I have cut out) so they would be easier to find when the building starts.  :D

~Eastrail

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 1,835 posts
Posted by bearman on Friday, July 13, 2018 10:09 AM

Eastrail, whatever you do, paint the pieces first before you assemble the building, even if you are going to hand brush them.  I use rattle can paint myself dries inside of 20 minutes.

Bear "It's all about having fun."

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 66 posts
Posted by Eastrail11 on Friday, July 13, 2018 9:59 AM

Thanks, I don't plan to light the interior of the building. 

The grey on that old warehouse looks pretty good. I didn't think Air Brushes would be so expensive. 

Thanks for the help so far. 

~Eastrail

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, July 13, 2018 9:54 AM

I usually rattle can buildings or use an airbrush.  I don't care for the color Walthers has painted there model.  This is the old Montgomery Ward warehouse in Baltimore

http://mht.maryland.gov/nr/images/nr1251p.jpg  sorry I can't get the picture icon to work.

Walthers did do a decent job of weathering.  I use pan pastels, washes for that.  I also spray the windows and doors a different color.  I don't want my building to look like every other Centennial Mills building.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Friday, July 13, 2018 9:42 AM

On styrene buildings I usually light them inside.  So I wash  with soapy water then rattle can primer in and out.  The inside paint prevents light showing through the wall if light colored. I often paint inside tan or other with acrylics using a brush.  Outside an acrylic color I like or blend a couple.  I dilute the paint if thick so it flows ok.  I usually weather lightly with gray or blackisk thin wash.  Lastly a sprap can application of Dull Cote.  

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 66 posts
How to paint buildings
Posted by Eastrail11 on Friday, July 13, 2018 9:31 AM

Hello all, I have question. 

I am currently building Walthers Centennial Mills Cornerstone kit, and I would like to know how to apply the paint, would you use a standard brush, a special brush, or a type of spray on paint. Also any tips on what colors to use would be helpful. This is my first time building a kit that needs to be painted, and I could use all the help I could get. 

Are there any recomendations for a worn out red or brown. 

~Eastrail

~Eastrail

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