Cross tie painting

[jacon12]

I was painting a rust color on my HO scale code 100 rails today, in a small section I'm trying to complete.  The track certainly looks better....

but I can't say the same for those black Atlas cross ties. 

I don't mind getting the rust color on the ties, I've noticed the prototype has a rust color on them, but mine don't look right.  What color did you use to make yours look more protypical?  I'm thinking about maybe a thin grey rusty wash, but would like suggestions.

JaRRell

[simon1966]

Jarrell, I am also using Atlas Code 100 with the black ties.  I started by using RR Tie brown acrylic paint and discovered that lots of $ disappeared quickly when painting the track.  So I now use the cheap acrylics from Walmart, Hobby Lobby et al, and make a thinned wash in a grimy brown color and wash that onto the ties.  I then hit the rails with the rust right away while the ties are still wet so it kind of merges together.  The shot below is a section of track that I laid poorly and ended up ripping out, but it shows the coloring.

 

 

[jacon12]

Jarrell, I am also using Atlas Code 100 with the black ties.  I started by using RR Tie brown acrylic paint and discovered that lots of $ disappeared quickly when painting the track.  So I now use the cheap acrylics from Walmart, Hobby Lobby et al, and make a thinned wash in a grimy brown color and wash that onto the ties.  I then hit the rails with the rust right away while the ties are still wet so it kind of merges together.  The shot below is a section of track that I laid poorly and ended up ripping out, but it shows the coloring.

 

 

That's an idea!  Let me get this straight though.... you're still using the RR Tie brown on the rails, but use a separate brown grey wash for the ties.. right?  That would work.  Anything to make these black ties be not so obvious.. 

Thanks Simon.

JaRRell

[simon1966]

The grimy brownish wash made from the cheap acrylics I use instead of the RR tie brown as it was getting expensive.  This is what goes on the ties.  The rails I paint with a wash of cheap acrylic also, but in a rusty color.  No particular formula, just mix away.  Thin with a bit of water as it goes on too thick otherwise.

[jacon12]

The grimy brownish wash made from the cheap acrylics I use instead of the RR tie brown as it was getting expensive.  This is what goes on the ties.  The rails I paint with a wash of cheap acrylic also, but in a rusty color.  No particular formula, just mix away.  Thin with a bit of water as it goes on too thick otherwise.

Ok.  Thanks Simon.

 

JaRRell

[selector]

JaRRel, jfugate encourages us to take the time to paint up most of the ties before doing any of the other track work, including ballasting.  I followed his advice by mixing the El Cheapo acrylics a darkish brown (Burnt Umber is great, though you can thin it to stretch it...some), and do most of the ties that colour.  Then, you can wash others, one here, two there, a lighter brown to simulate age, and even move into light gray for the well weathered ones that will be pulled next summer.  The idea is to have a natural variety in hue so that not all ties are the same.  Afterwards, you do the ballasting.  I followed Joe's advice about some plaster of paris, some tempura powder, and dusting between the rails with the mix.  Spritz with water, and let dry.  Only after all this do you paint the rails, and that is so that the spikes and ties closest to the rails look like the rust and grime have migrated down onto the tie surfaces...au naturel.

-Crandell

[nbrodar]

I paint the ties the same color I paint the rail.  I thin the paint a bit, to get some variation in color.

Nick

[jacon12]

JaRRel, jfugate encourages us to take the time to paint up most of the ties before doing any of the other track work, including ballasting.  I followed his advice by mixing the El Cheapo acrylics a darkish brown (Burnt Umber is great, though you can thin it to stretch it...some), and do most of the ties that colour.  Then, you can wash others, one here, two there, a lighter brown to simulate age, and even move into light gray for the well weathered ones that will be pulled next summer.  The idea is to have a natural variety in hue so that not all ties are the same.  Afterwards, you do the ballasting.  I followed Joe's advice about some plaster of paris, some tempura powder, and dusting between the rails with the mix.  Spritz with water, and let dry.  Only after all this do you paint the rails, and that is so that the spikes and ties closest to the rails look like the rust and grime have migrated down onto the tie surfaces...au naturel.

-Crandell

thanks Crandell for the information.  I follow you except for the tempura powder part.  Is this something I can pick up at a craft store such as Michaels here in the states?  What color, if it comes in colors, do you recommend? 

So.. you,

1- paint the ties

2- do the ballasting

3- apply the plaster/tempura mix

4- paint the rails

I can see where painting the rails as the last step would allow getting some of that paint down on the ballast for a more realistic look.  I'm assuming the ballast has been glued down at this point.

Is the attached photo on your layout?  It looks awesome!

Jarrell

[jacon12]

I paint the ties the same color I paint the rail.  I thin the paint a bit, to get some variation in color.

Nick

Thanks Nick for your suggestion.  It really does make the track work look a LOT better, doesn't it!

Jarrell

[dknelson]

I actually spray paint my flex track outdoors (due to fumes and spray paint droplets) before laying the track.  Then I touch up the weathering as needed when I curve the track.  Testors/Floquil makes a new line of weathering paint sticks that works well for this purpose.  They are like magic markers with flat weathering colors.  Several shades are offered. 

Uniformity is not necessarily what you are after .  Actually your current track reminded me a little of Byron Hill on the Canadian National -- former Wisconsin Central -- trackage south of Fond du Lac, where there is a narrow dark stripe running down the center of the ties AND the ballast -- oil drippings from engines and helpers working really hard I assume. 

 And where there has been a derailment you often see the center of the ties cut up from a wheel or two dragging over them

Frequently there IS more rust on ties near the rails and tie plates -- even the ballast there gets redder.  So there is a basis for brownish red near the rails, darker stripe near the center, but blended in a subtle way.

Dave Nelson

[jacon12]

Thank you Dave for your input.  I've heard several modelers say that they painted track before installing it.  Probably makes things a lot easier.. 

I'm going to do a search for Joe's scenery tutorials and read up on the subject more before proceeding any further. 

Jarrell

[jacon12]

I've located Joe Fugates tutorial on scenery and it contains his method of weathering, ballasting track etc.  For anyone interested..

http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?1270.0

Thanks again Joe for doing this!

Jarrell

[selector]

Jarrell, if you look closely at the main line tracks at left, see how the rust has bled down all over the tie plates and the ballast?  This is the effect you should look for, IMO, and I believe I share Joe's.  So, that means, necessarily, that you reach carefully and swipe the rail sides with a fine brush after everything else is done, mirroring the real world events.  The photo don't lie.

(BTW, this photo is on the old railimages, and will self-destruct in a couple of days when that site shuts down in mid April, 07)

Tempura powder (crayola makes some, IIRC), you'll need are black and brown, although Joe says he uses yellow as well.  It takes very little of either material to get the effect.  You miz one tbsp of plaster of paris and about half that of either black or brown, or you could realistically mix them a bit.  Mix thoroughly, and when your ballast has dried from your gluing process, and you have scraped all the hanger-on bits from the tie tops and the sides of the rails, as Joe says, and then vacuumed the loose stuff, only then do you use a good sized artist's brush and wipe the tops of the ties and ballast between the rails with powder heaped a bit on the bristles.  You'll catch on very quickly because this dolt did..it is all highly intuitive.

 

[simon1966]

I have to say that images of the Tempura technique are very effective.  I have not made any attempt to weather my right of way at this time, so I think I am going to give this method a shot.

[jacon12]

Thanks Crandell for the extra info.  Simon, when you do yours, take some pictures! 

 

Jarrell

[loathar]

I found a cheap method was to use Rustoleum flat brown or Krylon camouflage earth brown. It's a lot cheaper than $4.00 bottles of Floquil and a tougher finish than craft paint. I paint mine after the track is down so I don't have to touch it up. My layouts in an out building so the fumes aren't a problem. I just mask everything off good. It looks really good when you get it all ballasted and use some weathering chalks.