How do YOU weather a covered hopper??

[3rdrail]

It is time for the second entry in the "How to YOU weather..." series, and I'm going to start with a car type I do not have a great many examples of, but one of which I know some folks on here have created absolute masterpieces of weathering. So, let's see some  - no make that all - of those covered hopper masterpieces!  And the rest of you, let's see yours, too, this is NOT a contest.

Here's one I did with Floquil weathering colors on an old AndKon kit. I am showing it in hopes Bob Knight (TrainCat2) will soon offer a newer and better version:


And here's a really ancient Rapido covered hopper, redecaled and details added, then weathered with chalks from Micro-Mark:


OK, now lets' see your covered hoppers, in all scales.

[wm3798]

Weathered and re-stenciled for the new owner...

Lee

[Chris333]

Awww no fair showing the H30

Erie had some short cars for cement service. I took a Kato car and shortened it in length and height. Kept all the stock lettering except for changing the number and adding a new diamond. Added new square hatches and a wood running board.


Here it is next to a stock Kato:


Real thing:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/erie20012ab.jpg


I'm no Tom Mann... just washed it with india ink and dry brushed it with dirt colored paints. Same with a little Gray around the roof.

[ryourstone]

Ok, most of you guys have probably already seen this one:



Weathering is almost all acrylic tube paints, blotted on and wiped down with a paper towel then finished with a little drybrushing.

-Rich

[Sokramiketes]

Mine showed up in a box shrunk.  I just touched up the paint, renumbered, and threw an oil wash over it.   

[Chris333]

Mine showed up in a box shrunk.

Damn ready-to-run crowd 

[nscalesteve]

with chalk and some acrylic colors...

[SAH]

I have LOTS of covered hoppers but most of the weathering jobs are sub par at best.  One of the better ones:



Airbrush to dust / highlight and then airbrush through templates to focus the spray.  Finished off with chalks.  The weathering looks heavier to the naked eye, but that topic has been discussed before.

I've purchased the recco'd acrylic colors and will try the techniques Tom and Rich are using when I get back to doing some frieght cars.  Looking forward to giving it a whirl.

Steve

[sw1000b]

This is one of my first weathered cars without using an airbrush. I used to just spray a little color and that was the extent of mine weathering. I used Polly S mostly and later added some chalk.

[tom mann]

I like Steve's idea to use templates in conjunction with an airbrush.  I'll have to try that...

[The Donkey]

This is a car I did last summer to replicate a prototype. I was still working with
powders at the time, but I've almost become fully a gouache aficionado. A lot
could've been done better, & I had a lot of deva vu doing this car after doing
the same car for the Feb.06 Challenge here.
I couldn't resist the idea of the plastic sheeting seals of the hatches on the
prototype, so did my best to replicate, digging out a sheet of Bare Metal Foil
& painting & cutting to fit.



Learned a lot from it (I hope) & will take that from there.

Butch, that's a fine looking car you posted-did you hand paint your tags, or decal?

[John]

Mine showed up in a box shrunk.  I just touched up the paint, renumbered, and threw an oil wash over it.   

but you forgot the dirt on the wheels .. or did it just come back from detailing?

[sw1000b]

Mitch,
The Graffiti is hand painted, taken from the original car. If I can find the photo I'll post it.
This is an Intermountain Car, using several washes, and gouache for the rust streaks.

[nscalesteve]

...I don't have to weather this one, it's brand new, fresh out of the car shop !   

[txronharris]

I like Steve's idea to use templates in conjunction with an airbrush.  I'll have to try that...

That, Sir, is a damn fine job of weathering.