Cement hopper in progress shot

[tom mann]

Can I get some feedback on this cement hopper?



Trying to go for this type of look (what I understand to be a streaky caked-on dirty cement):

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=44410

[wazzou]

@tom mann - FYI, membership required to view photo.

[Kisatchie]

FYI, membership required to view photo.

I just signed up late last month. It's free and they have excellent photos.


Hmm... no Great Ape
hunks...

[wazzou]

I just signed up late last month. It's free and they have excellent photos.

I'm a member and you are but that doesn't mean everyone is.

[Kisatchie]

I'm a member and you are but that doesn't mean everyone is.

All I meant was that there are great photos on the site, and it is easy and free to register. So why not do it?


Hmm... a philosophical
question...

[jimmo]

IMHO you nailed it Tom.

[tom mann]

Thanks, I may try to do a little more detail work on it and maybe lighten it up a tad.

[svedblen]

I, with virtually now experience of rolling stock weathering, should probably keep quiet, but you asked for it 
And I want to learn my self.

The grime on the prototype generally looks lighter, and does not have that much color variation. Also, perhaps you should try to do the streaks a little more distinct and at the same time thinner. In some parts the make quite an intricate pattern. Note that some of the streaks actually run on top of the graffitti.

[tankcar]

Can I get some feedback on this cement hopper?



Trying to go for this type of look (what I understand to be a streaky caked-on dirty cement):

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=44410

Dead on Tom!

Regards, Bobby

[davefoxx]

Sorry to rain on your parade, Tom, but I think the ride height is too low. 

[ednadolski]

Can I get some feedback on this cement hopper?



Trying to go for this type of look (what I understand to be a streaky caked-on dirty cement):

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=44410

I think you've well captured the overall effect.  Is this HO scale?  I'm really impressed with the 'granularity' of the effect (doubly so if this is N scale! )   Comparing to the proto I don't see any significant discrepancies, so this is all just some nitpicking:

 - The proto seems to have some darker grime build up on the vertical seams
 - The whitish 'dry' streaking on the model as well as the fine dark spotting are a good looking effect but don't seem to correspond to any patterns on the proto pic.
 - Not sure if this is just shadows but there appear to be some watermarks on the roof (underneath the roofwalk).
 - Some of the streaks on the left side seem a bit wavy, kinda like brush marks.  (Seems tho that the tagging should cover most of these.)
 - The proto seems to have a significant chunk of cement powder on the roof below the center roofwalk support that is absent on the model.
 - The model could perhaps use a bit more grime around the ladder bolts, but that is something that easily might not show up in a photo.
 - I agree with the remark about lightening it, but if you are planning to photograph it in natural light then take a few test pics first, since the colors may appear lighter in sunlight anyway.
 - Is this an Athearn?  They seem to have put the brake wheel on the wrong end of the model   


HTH,
Ed

[tom mann]

I stripped it down and started over, wanting to match the streaking effect of the original a little better (but via a technique/process and not via painstakingly hand-painting).  It still isn't a perfect match, but captures the "sloppy" flavor of the real thing (at least I think ). 





I'm going to leave off the cement buildup under the roofwalk, since it isn't clear from the photo the extent of it and what is visible is a little "odd". So I'll do some more work on the edges of the decals and call it finished.

[svedblen]

Much better! I knew you (if anyone) could improve it 

... via a technique/process and not via painstakingly hand-painting

Do you mind explaining what technique/process you used?

[jpwisc]

Tom,
I like how you broke up the streaks so they vary above and below the rib on the side of the car. It looks mo@re natural on the second try.

[tom mann]

To get some of the rough looking streaks, I mixed some Panzer and Regular Grey Vallejo paints with 70% Alcohol.  They don't mix well, and the paint takes on a cottage cheese type feel.  I used this as a wash, and then after it dried I brushed off everything to make it smooth.