twhite wrote: Several light shots of the paint, allowing each coat to dry for at LEAST an hour, will get you a good, even coat. It should also keep the paint from running under the masking, as the paint is almost dry when it hits the model anyway. I'd let each color dry overnight before re-masking and spraying on the next color. It usually takes me about three days to a week to paint a loco--and that's mainly BLACK, LOL! So don't spray on another color until the paint has had a chance to really CURE to the model. If I'm going to paint a loco, I always make sure I've got at least several other projects to work on while I'm waiting for the paint to dry. It's a long process, but if you take your time, you can do a good job even with a spray can. Tom
Several light shots of the paint, allowing each coat to dry for at LEAST an hour, will get you a good, even coat. It should also keep the paint from running under the masking, as the paint is almost dry when it hits the model anyway. I'd let each color dry overnight before re-masking and spraying on the next color. It usually takes me about three days to a week to paint a loco--and that's mainly BLACK, LOL! So don't spray on another color until the paint has had a chance to really CURE to the model.
If I'm going to paint a loco, I always make sure I've got at least several other projects to work on while I'm waiting for the paint to dry. It's a long process, but if you take your time, you can do a good job even with a spray can.
Tom
Gee, Tom, you are able to get away with only one day's drying time before taping for the next coat of paint? I normally wait a week for the paint to cure. Perhaps you put the model out all day at the patio in the oven-like summer air of the Great Valley
Mark
markpierce wrote: twhite wrote: Several light shots of the paint, allowing each coat to dry for at LEAST an hour, will get you a good, even coat. It should also keep the paint from running under the masking, as the paint is almost dry when it hits the model anyway. I'd let each color dry overnight before re-masking and spraying on the next color. It usually takes me about three days to a week to paint a loco--and that's mainly BLACK, LOL! So don't spray on another color until the paint has had a chance to really CURE to the model. If I'm going to paint a loco, I always make sure I've got at least several other projects to work on while I'm waiting for the paint to dry. It's a long process, but if you take your time, you can do a good job even with a spray can. Tom Gee, Tom, you are able to get away with only one day's drying time before taping for the next coat of paint? I normally wait a week for the paint to cure. Perhaps you put the model out all day at the patio in the oven-like summer air of the Great Valley Mark
Mark:
You found me out, LOL! Actually, I do all my painting outside of the garage, and you're right--this dry, hot air here in the Valley does a pretty fast cure. Did I say just ONE day? Sorry, I thought I said two between color coats. Actually, the ATSF silver I use for the striping and cylinder heads and roller-bearing covers is a water-base paint, so I can usually apply that within a day after the basic black. But I do have to wait several days before I apply the graphite, which is hand-mixed from Floquil paints.
I've tried using an air-brush--in fact I have a pretty terrific Paasche that's just sitting in a box in the garage. For some strange reason, holding that little bitty gun between my fingers isn't nearly as comfortable--or accurate for me at least--as my hand wrapped around a spray-can. To each his own, I guess. Besides, those guns just don't seem to be designed for left-handers. At least not THIS left-hander .
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!