I have been thinking about weathering more of my freight cars but Ive noticed the value goes down usually If you sell them in the future. Im just curious as to how many modelers are perfecty happy with new engines with the factory paint jobs and how many weather their cars and engines?
To weather or not is like the old "Ford vs. Chevy" discussion of my youth......
My preferences are a mixed bag (so far). Structures are weathered to what I deem appropriate for the time and place. Locos are not weathered. Rail cars all have a Dull Cote spray to remove the sheen, and the trucks are painted with a rust/flat black wash. That is pretty much it.
From my Ebay experiences, a really good weathering job will bring a premium. Cars I have sold were weathered as I described, and I get mostly a fair price.
Of course most all the MR stuff you buy will diminish in value. Very few items will sell for what you paid for them or more.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Good points by Mobilman.
Some things to keep in mind:
A) Are you thinking that, perhaps, you will be selling some of your equipment? Or are you purchasing cars and locomotives that fit your era and tastes and plan on keeping them for the long term?
B) Do you enjoy the weathering aspect of this hobby? Does it give you additional satisfaction in your modeling?
If you find yourself feeling hesitant or your primary answers are "No" to the above questions, then you might consider not proceeding; especially if you plan on selling or trading equipment. (I did that for a while and found it to get a bit mundane after a time).
Years ago I did not like the idea of weathering as I thought it would devalue equipment, plus I had the "fear of screwing up". However, as I continued reading MRR magazine over time and learned how to apply weathering, I experienced a 180°degree turn in my attitude and found weathering to be very enjoyable (and easy!). I appreciated the depth of realism that it added to my rolling stock. Of course, I did screw up starting out, but kept practicing and discovered I had been "trying too hard".
With that said, I shrank my multi-era fleet size, settled on a modeling era (1965-75), and got into the mindset that I'm going to keep any rolling stock or locomotive that I purchase and will do so until I can model no more. So everything will be weathered (most items lightly, some more heavily).
So think about what you will enjoy on your layout and in your modeling in general. What satisfies you? Answer that question and as Rocky Balboa told Mr. T in the movie Rocky III : "Go for it."
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
My philosophy is that weathering is good, but it can wait until I'm in the mood. Weathering is one of those things that makes model railroading an art IMO. Things like wiring, benchwork, even building models are things I can do by just plunging in. Stuff like scenery and weathering I have to feel in the mood to do. It just doesn't happen by flipping a switch.
But it's also something that can wait without really affecting progress on other things. If a model has window galss, then it needs to be so you can take it out or mask it easily, because most of the time windows get washed, etc and don't look good otherwise. Other than that, you can return and weather a model years later at your leisure.
Thus, realtively few of my models are weathered, but it's starting to happen. As I gain confidence by pacing things and not forcing it to happen, it grows on me. And since I'm in HOn3, Blackstone provides many models with a weathered option at quite reasonable cost. So things are starting to look dirty, in a good sort of way.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I prefer everything weathered to some degree Nothing in nature stays clean for very long.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
To me the hobby is not only about unlimited imagination, but catpturing realism in the fullest sense. Perhaps the term weathering in some cases is not entirely accurate. I like to think of "weathering" as bringing color into scale. Color most defintely has scale.....take a brand new loco out of a box, be it plastic, cast, or brass, and place it on your pike next to a properly "weathered" loco, and the difference is quite evident. The newly painted black loco or freight car just out of the box not only does not look real, but toy-like!
Still it is a matter of taste, and that is fine.
The thinking behind weathering ruining the value of the model is similar to the arguement about using clear plastic covers on your furniture.
My two bucks worth
HZ
Boy, the mention of clear plastic furniture covers sure brings back some memories! I remember my grandparents having them on everything - upholstered furniture, seats in the car, dining room chairs, etc. I never understood why you'd buy something upholstered and not be able to enjoy it. I guess that was when folks scrimped and saved to buy something so they wanted it to last as long as possible. Even to the point where it was woefully out of style and sagging like crazy. Nothing like a blistering hot plastic seat cover in your car in the middle of summer. : )
But sticking to the subject...I have a friend who does a masterful job of weathering the most basic plastic freight car kits. On many he replaces the molded stirrups to improve the looks. The catch is that he uses an airbrush for the overall weathering and I've never quite gotten the hang of it, so many of mine aren't weathered. I've done some using chaulk and they look okay, but nowhere near what my friend does. I think the only way I am going to overcome my fear of an airbrush is to actually have him show me how he does it. Then maybe I'll join the ranks of you who weather everything.
Jim
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Since I have no intention of ever selling my rolling stock (just acquire more), one of the steps for ALL new rolling stock are as follows:
With all that being said, it's like Heinz or Hunt's ketchup, it's a matter of taste.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
If you wanted to make this scene look as real as possible and had to choose one of the two stock cars to leave in the shot what car would stay. The one on the right or the one on the left.
Ps; I didn't weather the car on the right, a very accomplished modeler did.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
The weather doesn't ask permission, does it?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 The weather doesn't ask permission, does it?
Well it should, especially on golf day.
Weathering can take a $30 model to the $60-100 range or even more if done right! If not done right it take it way below purchace price, like $10 or less, even $5.
I generally run my stuff without weathering. Although age and dust provide a weathering of sorts. Most of the stuff I buy already has a flat finish. If not it gets a spray of Dullcoat.
I have experimented with weathering and really just prefer to not have it. I don't care about the resale value since I never resell anything.
Enjoy
Paul
the old train man I have been thinking about weathering more of my freight cars but Ive noticed the value goes down usually If you sell them in the future. Im just curious as to how many modelers are perfecty happy with new engines with the factory paint jobs and how many weather their cars and engines?
I for one have never bought a model train with any thought of selling it later or worry about what it might be worth? Can't say I understand that kind of thinking in the first place.
As for weathering, done well, usually lightly in my view, models look much more realistic.
Sheldon
Howard ZaneI like to think of "weathering" as bringing color into scale. Color most defintely has scale.....take a brand new loco out of a box, be it plastic, cast, or brass, and place it on your pike next to a properly "weathered" loco, and the difference is quite evident. The newly painted black loco or freight car just out of the box not only does not look real, but toy-like!
Interesting comment, caused me to recall the day that six shiny PC GP38s showed up on the inbound pit track at Wilmington. They were certainly out of place surrounded by grimy over age Penn Central locomotives then in use. I wouldn't call them toy like, but they did not fit in.
A month later, there was sufficient grime on them to improve their appearance, much like dullcote followed by some light weathering.
Weathering, is simply in many cases, removing the unnatural shine that comes with being new and out of the box. That's all it takes.
Personally, I don't think a careful weathering harms the value of the model. It actually enhances the value.
Curious (and I do not mean to hijack this thread), but what is your go-to dullcote to tone down the new sheen?
Happy modeling all!
Regards,
Don.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."
Don,
I've always tended to use Testor's Dull-Cote. It's reliable, works well, and dries FAST. The formula was changed a few years back and, yes, not quite what it was, but it's still good. For some, it seems to have been a big deal, but I've found nothing regrettable using it.
I heard some had good results with Tree House Studios Clear Acrylic Matte Medium. Not bad, definitely cheaper than Dull-Cote, harder to control out of the can. It does the job, but recommends waiting 24 hours before handling or something to that effect. Heck, 24 minutes is long than it usually takes Dull-Cote to dry. The THS stuff doesn't actually take that long, but it is considerably longer than Dull-Cote.
Krylon is just too voluminous for models in the smaller scales in my experience.
Fellows,
BTW, I don't think there's much argument here against weathering, except when it's overdone. It's just that it's not as high a priority as it is for some as it is for others.
I love weathering! So far I've done it on four models - all structures. OK, so you are not impressed. Neither am I.
Truth is I'm a bit intimidated by starting in on my rolling stock. I need to give myself a kick in the rear!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks Mike for the tip on the Testors Dullcote! I will give it a try.
Happy modeling!
Since I operate with a well-known livery, I have many factory options to choose from.
I am a strange bird, I will weather buildings and structures, but NOT my RR equipment.
One BIG reason I won't weather equipment is what you stated. It reduces {imo} the value .
But, I don't expect to get much out of them anway. If EVER...
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
If your focus is on maintaining value, weathering may not be for you. Unless you're one of the pros, your weathering job is likely to devalue equipment at best, and perhaps render it unsellable at worst. I have no problem buying a used but unweathered loco or car, but almost never encounter one I'm willing to buy once it's weathered. Either the person's style isn't compatible with mine, or (more likely) it's poorly done and ruins the model.
I have a fair amount of unweathered equipment, but that's because I haven't taken the time to weather it all yet. Everything eventually will be.
Rob Spangler
the old train manI have been thinking about weathering more of my freight cars but Ive noticed the value goes down usually If you sell them in the future. Im just curious as to how many modelers are perfecty happy with new engines with the factory paint jobs and how many weather their cars and engines?
But the bigger queestion still tears at me all the time. I've weathered cars that look really good and I am proud of the weathering job. But I still sit a weathered one right next to shiny new one and ponder which I like better. I think my long term solution is going to be to weather the common ones that will run in regular service on the layout, and not weather the special custom painted ones modeling a unique part of railroad history (such as the GN circus box cars).
I weather when I'm in the mood. If I force myself to weather a new car or engine, I tend to rush through it and the results aren't as good as I like. Some cars and engines I don't plan to weather because I like they're look as new, however for the most part I lightly weather my fleet.
JeffB