WEATHERING RAIL

[SOUPAC]

Surprisingly, after searching this and other forums, I’ve basically been unable to find anything in this subject matter. I have seen lots of suggestions including just painting with a brush, magic markers, aerosol “bombs”, and an airbrush. I’ve tried the aerosol “bomb” route to paint up new pieces of flex-track. But after spraying from the side with the webbing color and then down from the top with the tie color(s) the flex track didn’t want to flex at all. You just about HAVE to do it outside, which now makes it seasonal, or attempt to survive inhaling all the fumes. There are lots of fumes in the form of overspray and a lot of paint is wasted. Considering that the next quickest way would probably be an air brush, I’m hoping that more diluted paint will greatly reduce the “gluing” effect of the paint. Hopefully to work good enough on loose track sections.

But it seems in most language about this a lot of track is weathered after it is installed. I can’t help but question how one does this. I mean, as best I can tell, there will be at least the airline protruding down from the brush bottom and very possibly the paint tank also. So how do you get in at the required angle to paint only the rail webbing?

[Chris333]

I just airbrushed some Z scale track "tie brown" this morning. Then I will hand paint the side of the rail "rail brown".  I know the process your thinking of, but just hand paint the rails.

If you need a way to get at odd angles with an airbrush just use some flexible fish tank airline so the bottle isn't fastened to the airbrush. I've done it and it works.

PS I've never tried to paint track before it was mounted. You can always use a few fans to get rid of the fumes.

[Gen]

So how do you get in at the required angle to paint only the rail webbing?

This is not worth the aggravation it will bring you, and quite frankly, I don't think it can be done quickly or even at all without the unwanted overspray beyond the webbing unless your willing to back the rail with some cardstock while you airbrush. Those that can pull it off are going to be using a gravity feed, not a siphoning airbrush, and that's maybe where you're getting handcuffed. 

I am a believer that you can form and cut the flex first (ME not Atlas), or at least get it close enough so you don't have to wrestle it much. Airbrush the webbing, then the ties as you stated early. You can do all this with acrylics too, which is safer for indoor airbrushing providing your not atomizing washer fluid, or some other toxic thinner, AND you have an appropriate respirator. This is very important since a booth can't really handle two 36"pieces that have been soldered together.

Some swear by those pens but I have never used them myself.

[Chris333]

I was hand painting some rail webs today. I have a rail brown paint pen and didn't even think to try it. Maybe I'll give it a shot when I get home.

[MVW]

OK, I'm not in the same league as most of the characters that frequent this joint, but I got what I considered acceptable results with the aerosol can routine. I did it after the track was in place, but before any scenery was down, so overspray didn't matter. Put a couple drops of 3-in-1 oil on a cloth and rub the tops of the rails first. (Makes cleanup a breeze.) A quick pass with an appropriate brown from a low angle, and another down the length of the track from above. Wipe the tops of the rails clean immediately, then slide a razor blade along the rails just in case you missed something (I always do ... miss something, that is).

You can always come back with a brush and a thin, lighter rust color to highlight some areas. I keep telling myself I'm going to do that someday ... and someday I just might. 

It doesn't take much paint, so unless you're doing yards and yards of track you can probably get away with doing it indoors. My layout is in the basement, and with the windows open for a bit the odor wasn't a problem at all. If I remember correctly, I was using Model Master paint, which (I think) is generally low-odor anyway. 'Course, I wouldn't stand around and breath it in, either.

Good luck!

Jim

[chuck geiger]

Do the Lee Weldon route: I switched to it. Burnt Sienna acrylic craft paint swabbed on
with a brush. Look great.

[unittrain]

I spray painted mine with Home Accents London grey followed by nutmeg and the tracks are just the right color for mainline tracks make sure you do the straightning and curving before you paint!

[DKS]

I just airbrushed some Z scale track "tie brown" this morning. Then I will hand paint the side of the rail "rail brown".

+1

[SOUPAC]

I spray painted mine with Home Accents London grey followed by nutmeg and the tracks are just the right color for mainline tracks make sure you do the straightning and curving before you paint!

So how did you get the airbrush at the proper angle to apply the paint?

[unittrain]

So how did you get the airbrush at the proper angle to apply the paint?

I used spray paint I sprayed the London gray from above on the ties and then applied London gray from the side to get a little on the rails (make very quick passes to get a light misty coat per pass do about 2 passes with the gray) then do a quick pass from 45 degrees of the Nutmeg and about 3 passes from the sides with the Nutmeg. I find the color to be really accurate here is a link to a photo that shows my track.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59833598@N03/5797800391/in/photostream

[SOUPAC]

No way to delete a posting, so this will have to do.

[Hyperion]

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