More salt weathering on a little switcher

[tom mann]

This is one of the neatest little locos available.  It supposedly is a Davenport, but Chris333 pointed out that it doesn't really seem to follow any prototype (typical for narrow gauge modeling - think Malcom Furlow!).  I've been sitting on this project for months because I kept going back and forth about buying a pricey detail kit.  In the end, I decided against it (mainly due to the weak dollar) .

This is more of the salt weathering that I've been doing a lot - since it works well in the larger scales.  The base paint is Krylon Rusty Metal Primer, a light coat of Polyscale Rust (sprayed from far away - more like trying to get speckles) and then another coat of Steam Black (applied in the same manner as the Rust).  I let this dry and then selectively wet the model with water and sprinkled on sea salt.  The more salt, the more rust shows through. 

I wanted a top coat that looked more like old glossy paint that is peeling and bubbling off, so I mixed in about 40% Future to Polyscale Reefer Yellow.  My wood cars used the salt as a mask, and with a light coat of paint, kinda made the surface look like old, faded paint that chipped off.  But this time, in addition to the masking effect, I wanted a more bubbly and peeling look. I decided to complete saturate everything with paint, with the intention of using a stiff brush to knock the salt off.  And it worked well enough to make me happy.





There are some rogue salt crystals in some of the hinges  ;D :



Close up showing the bubble effect:



In context on my large, massive basement layout with helix to the attic:

[Chris333]

SWEET!  she looks thoroughly neglected.


I like the palm tree shadow! What diameter is your helix? 

[tom mann]

I like the palm tree shadow! What diameter is your helix? 

Thank you...a good example of how a scenic element can be used in a photo without actually being in the photo (sounds like a TTAMT article  ).

The helix is large enough for a Fn3 Mudhen, should I choose to go to that scale ;D

[SquirrelHollow]

Nicelly done.  I particularly like the attention given to the cab floor and drop steps.

[nscalesteve]

you forgot to mention that this is Nn3 
very nice Tom, it looks very real and the bubble effect just amazing... 

what is Future ? is this the Floor Polish thing... ? like Johnson Wax Klear ?

[tom mann]

you forgot to mention that this is Nn3 
very nice Tom, it looks very real and the bubble effect just amazing... 

what is Future ? is this the Floor Polish thing... ? like Johnson Wax Klear ?

Future is known as Klear in New Zealand...either Klear or L&P will work just fine

Is anyone worried about Future's odor?  It smells like Kool Aid and I'm always tempted to drink it...but usually a sweet smell is a bad sign.

[DKS]

Superb. Love the blistering effects--you sure nailed it. And, as mentioned, the steps are especially effective.

Just one little thing... those windows seem unusually clean!

[tom mann]

Thanks guys.  I dry brushed the cab floor with alcohol to remove paint layers to represent a worn floor caused by the crew.  For the steps, I brushed on some NeoLube, also to show wear down to the metal.

[dnhouston]

Wow!  Excellent weathering job.

[MrKLUKE]

.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Whoa, that's crazy Tom!

Simply astounding...

[choochin3]

Tom I'm floored with that weathering job!
Truly awesome work.
I usually don't look at the weathering posts but your salt weathering title piqued my interest.
If it weren't for those Kadee couplers I'd swear that was the real thing.

Carl T.

[tom mann]

A little more on the salt method.  Paint the final top coat kind of heavy and completely saturate the salt.  Let the paint dry until it looks waxy.  Then, take a stiff brush and brush away the salt, which will take some work because it is buried in paint.  A single salt grain will gently pull away surrounding paint when it is brushed off, creating the blister.  In areas where there are many adjacent salt grains, the yellow paint will peel off in large areas.

[Black Diamond]

That's pretty neat looking dude.  I read about the NaCl technique a while ago but I never saw an example. That would look cool on some junk cars somewhere.

[railbuilderdave]

I have to say Tom that your work is awe-inspiring and really motivates me to get cracking.  How long have you been modeling trains?