My first structure

[railbuilderdave]

I’ve started to paint my first structure and would like to know what you think of what I’ve done thus far.  I’ve purchased a kit and have planes to convert this from a Townhouse to a warehouse for Fairbanks – Morse.  They had produced engines back in the early 1900’s and I thought this kit look good as a warehouse and Fairbanks – Morse would be a company you my find located on a railroad shipping their parts all over the country.
Thanks for looking and letting me know what you think of my work.
http://rbdhd.t35.com/societyHillThouse/
RailbuilderDHD

[Cox 1947]

Looks good hope to see it when you finnish...Nice job coloring on brick work....Cox 1947

[CSX_road_slug]

Dave,

I wish I knew more about the art of making styrene brick buildings look 'real' but I'm a novice to that myself.  However I think the guys over at MRF had some good ideas that I plan on trying out.  One thing I know for sure, is that mortar can't just be brushed-on in a few minutes - it requires the patience of a saint!

[railbuilderdave]

Dave,

I wish I knew more about the art of making styrene brick buildings look 'real' but I'm a novice to that myself.  However I think the guys over at MRF had some good ideas that I plan on trying out.  One thing I know for sure, is that mortar can't just be brushed-on in a few minutes - it requires the patience of a saint!

I know it take a lot of time and I seem to be running out of time lately.  I've cleaned off a lot of what was done on the bricks and will work some new angle that I read about from others.  I have some good photos I'm going to keep close to keep me from working from my mind only. 
How have you been doing?
Dave

[CSX_road_slug]

...  How have you been doing?

Mostly alright, I've been seriously distracted with weathering activities.  These Bragdon powders have really opened up a whole new world for me, and I find myself looking forward to getting home from work to continue on a weathering project.  I was so pleased with the results on a Chessie ACF 2bay cement hopper that I even posted it in the 'fantasy' sub-forum at MTW - until I saw discovered that Aggro had already posted one of his own with correct-sized handrails and grabs, so I yanked mine the h*** off of there!

Wish I had the same level of enthusiasm for my layout, it's sitting neglected under mountains of clutter.  I need to take a shop-vac to it, but I'm afraid that when I do that I'll suck up 75% of my scenic foliage along with it!

[wm3798]

There's nothin' to it but to do it, Ken!

Lee

[railbuilderdave]

Lee is correct, but at least you are active in the hobby.  I find myself as you when I'm at work I just want to get home and paint or build or do some sort of activity that make my wife more upset the I'm not spending time with her or doing the things I need to do.
Dave

[CSX_road_slug]

There's nothin' to it but to do it, Ken!

<LOL> You are sooo right, Lee! ;D  It's just that in order to get to the trainroom, I have to walk past the workbench where all my weathering toystools are.  will power... will power... will power...


Dave - check your PM box.

 

[railbuilderdave]

Ok, I've done some work on the bricks and now I have some questions on what I've done. Take a look at the web site and let me know what you think.
http://rbdhd.t35.com/societyHillThouse/take2.htm
Dave

[wm3798]

Looks great, Dave.  I especially like the random bricks that you highlight with darker and lighter colors.  The mortar looks real good.
Lee

[railbuilderdave]

Thanks for the kind words.  Seems so many don't think it looks prototypical and I need to keep looking deep inside me to find that prototype modeler.  Well, I know it's not perfect but not bad for my second try on my first structure.  I'm not giving up, yet.
Dave

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I think it's REALLY good. Better than I've done.

I think the only thing I'd suggest doing on the next go-around is to use darker mortar, since the white is often too much of a contrast and can just look "odd".

[railbuilderdave]

Ed, you are right and I've done just that.  I've done an update to the mortar and a sample is on-line to view.  Commets are welcome. http://rbdhd.t35.com/societyHillThouse/take3.htm
Thanks,
Dave

[railbuilderdave]

I've done some work on this building and wanted to post an update so here is a link to the new photos http://rbdhd.t35.com/societyHillThouse/phaseVLayoutI.htm

I've created an antenna for the building but didn't put it on because it's broken so many times I didn't want to risk it any more than needed.  I've added a edge on the top of the walls to have a better finished look and I'm working on some more roof details.  I plan to have a loading dock in the back where the train cars load and maybe even a dock for trucks to pull along side if there is room.  Since I've cut the size I've got to work with I'm going to limit what I can do.  That my be for the best.
Dave

[rswinnerton]

The last building I did, I painted the whole structure a darker red (It was a DPM building and it was cast in a light grey plastic), then sealed it with dullcote. After that, I used a 3pts reefer white to 2 pts concrete wash to fill up the morter lines, then wiped it off the building with a damp rag. NOTE- ALWAYS wipe in a downward direction! I didn't at first and it looked kinda silly  with the "weathering" going sideways. By doing it down, it just looks like it's been out in the weather for a while.
Russ