painting and weathering NZT Products

[tom mann]

The NZT line of detail products is off to a nice start.  The products are nicely cast and coloring looks good right out of the bag.  I thought I would see what I can do with a little bit of work. 

In the below photos, the ties are N scale and the drums are Z.

Here are the ties with no modifications (save for some flash removal along the bottom edge):



the old ties, also out of the bag:



I lightly airbrushed some Roof Brown, followed by a wash of Ivory Black:



Close up of the above to show the excellent casting:


Same weathering process:


Another close up, almost creepy-real (at least to me):


I painted the drums Conrail Blue faded with Aged White, since in my head I thought blue drums would look better and show off detail painting more:


I added a little Burnt Umber and Ivory black to represent aging and spills:


I also have the crates to weather, so there is more to come!

[DKS]

Those look really great, Tom! Thanks for posting these.

I wonder how it would look if you took a Sharpie to the straps on the new tie bundles, if it would look more like steel. Just a thought.

[GaryHinshaw]

Incredible!  David, I hope you're able to make this product line blossom.

-Gary

[Sokramiketes]

I think you need to find a way to pop out individual ties in different colors.  They are too uniform right now, especially the used piles.

[DKS]

I agree that some accent colors on individual ties would help enhance realism. But even without going to that trouble, I think they're reasonably acceptable.

New ties:



Used ties:

[pnolan48]

Nice products, David! I'd say museum quality.

[Philip H]

Having seen what Tom can do with these, I am afraid to buy any lest I not come up to snuff.  That said - David, when you do get production back up, I will be buying.  Might now have a use for all my old Bachmann and Atlas gondolas form the 1980's.

[mcjaco]

I think you need to find a way to pop out individual ties in different colors.  They are too uniform right now, especially the used piles.

They still look pretty good.

Can't wait for these Dave.  I know exactly where that pile of used ties is going.