OK Experts -- How would you weather this?

[ednadolski]

First, congrats to Tom on the new book, I'm ordering my copy right away!

Now, a question for the experts:  how would you weather this ex-ATSF loco?   Specifically, what's a good way to approach the faded/splotchy red areas on the cab & lettering, as well as the rustoleum/primer colored panels on the sides?

Are there any specific paint colors that would be good for these?  How about doing those new yellow safety stripes?







Thanks,
Ed

[up1950s]

The rough erratic edge 2 tone red peeled cab would need liquid mask and 2 colors sprayed I think . The rest is tape mask and straight forward , though many steps . Just guessing .

[GaryHinshaw]

I want to see what Tom has to say.

Are you planning to paint a unit from scratch, or distress a factory finish?  I think this level of distress requires starting from scratch, in which case the biggest challenge is the peeling.  If you had the ability to produce decals from photos, I think the darker red areas could be done pretty well that way.  But maybe Tom's sea salt diet is called for here?  (I got my book order from Chuck.)

I would also say decals for the safety stripes, though if you're going to do HO you could look into Scotchlite tape.  (It's a bit too thick for N.)  Be sure to show us how it turns out!

[tom mann]

Salt mask on the cab, with the salt on thick and close together. 

Read the Salt Mask subchapter of the book

[sw1000b]

No Expert, but this is my first and second attempt. Sprayed a mixture of a couple of drops of Poly S white and Flat Finish. Gave the shell a few coats to give it the pink look that I thought was close. I then drybrushed a mixture of Poly S red & white for the blotched areas. I'm currently working on replacing the air tanks on the engineers side and the airconditioner on the conductors side


Butch Eyler

[diezmon]

Salt mask on the cab, with the salt on thick and close together. 

Read the Salt Mask subchapter of the book

Oh great.. now your standard answer is going to be "read my book nubes"  LOL    ;D : :-*

[tom mann]

Salt mask on the cab, with the salt on thick and close together. 

Read the Salt Mask subchapter of the book

Oh great.. now your standard answer is going to be "read my book nubes"  LOL    ;D : :-*

Until they sell out at least...

[ednadolski]

Hi Tom, I've ordered the book & I'm looking forward to trying out lots of stuff 

Butch, those shots look fantastic -- faded and well-worn without looking too stark or overdone  (easy to do on a model).  Could you please elaborate a bit further on your drybrushing technique?

Sounds like you started from a factory paint job, is that right?  That's my plan as well, at least so far.    I'll be experimenting first on some scrap styrene painted the ATSF Red.

Thanks,
Ed

[sw1000b]

Ed,
After mixing the red & white, I worked most of the paint out of the brush, and then applied it to the shell. The paint on the brush is almost dry. Experiment with it. I started with a prepainted shell. I want to do one with the burn marks down from the exhaust, someday.

Butch

[up1950s]

Ed,
After mixing the red & white, I worked most of the paint out of the brush, and then applied it to the shell. The paint on the brush is almost dry. Experiment with it. I started with a prepainted shell. I want to do one with the burn marks down from the exhaust, someday.

Butch

You are wrong , you are an expert !

[Denver Road Doug]

Butch, that looks fantastic!

Tom, is the book available direct?

[tom mann]

Tom, is the book available direct?

No, only from Chuck.

[tom mann]

I just made this in Z scale and it looks pretty good.

[Sokramiketes]

I just made this in Z scale and it looks pretty good.

Photos or it didn't happen...  ???

[BNSF Dash 9]

He must be talking about this... hey Tom did you forget to weather the grills?  ;D