fading without an airbrush

[h2w]

hello I have a conrail gp15-1 I would like to fade the factory blue paint job whats the best way to do it with out an airbrush
thanks
mark

[timgill]

Here is a writeup on one of many different techniques over on the Rustbucket forum: http://tws-rustbucket.com/thread/3763/oil-dot-fading-technique

Register over there and browse some of the very detailed, helpful threads. A lot of great information on weathering, a lot of it WITHOUT airbrushing.

[tom mann]

One of the things you can do is to give the model a cover of DullCote or another flat finish.  Then, mix up some highly thinned oil paint and brush it on.

[Kisatchie]

One of the things you can do is to give the model a cover of DullCote or another flat finish.  Then, mix up some highly thinned oil paint and brush it on.

Hmm... a nice red
shade...

[jimmo]

One of the things you can do is to give the model a cover of DullCote or another flat finish.  Then, mix up some highly thinned oil paint and brush it on.

What color of oil paint, Tom? I would have a tendency to use a white or lighter version of what you are fading.

I have done something similar using DullCote to give the surface with a bit of a tooth then dust on some white chalk (or weathering) powder with a stiff brush then hit it with DullCote. Repeat until you get the fade you desire. This technique also allows you to control where you want the fade, much like you could do with an airbrush.

[Spades]

http://mrhpub.com/2014-08-aug/land/#76 

Yes it is for freight cars but it works forlocomotives. Step 1 dullcote Step 2 Fade.

G

[tom mann]

What color of oil paint, Tom? I would have a tendency to use a white or lighter version of what you are fading.

It would depend.  For the Conrail blue, while would work for a powder blue result.  If you want to also tone down the original paint's hue, you need to add some of the complementary color as well.

It is worth noting that this process takes more time to get right than using an airbrush.