Weathered Trucks....

[Ryan87]

Trying to see what works for n scale trucks...
Comments? What looks good/bad?

What's your technique for trucks?

[GaryHinshaw]

I think that looks great Ryan - a very convincing rendition of a fairly new truck.  Will you tell us your technique?

My criteria for truck weathering is that it be fast and foolproof because I want a lot of them. Given that condition, the best I have come up with is to simply spray paint them, in batches of 3-5 pair at a time, with a mix of grimy black and rail tie brown.  I vary the mix a bit from batch to batch.  I then install FVM wheels and dust the whole schmear with Bragdon powders: a blend of soot, dark rust, and medium rust, using a fair amount of pressure with a stiff brush.  Here are a few examples:







The biggest problem I have with this is paint adhesion... On the hopper you can see some wear along the top corner of the side frame, but a quick hit with more powder would make the wear almost disappear.  The best thing about this approach is that it's really easy.

Cheers,
Gary

[tom mann]

Ryan, I think I can see your reflection on the back of the wheel ;D

A number of colors can be used: the Rich Yourstone formula of Rust+Grimy Black, Roof Brown, Tie Brown, Grimy Black, Sand, Dirt, Krylon Rusty Metal Primer.  I tend to stay away from chalks on the trucks.

[ryourstone]

Like Tom mentioned, Rust:Grimy Black in a 2:1 mix. Then a wash made of of Burnt Umber and black chalk to bring out the detail. If needed to match prototype, a tiny bit of chalk - black around the bearings or rust on the springs.