It’s been a while since I ha e been here in the forums. Since last being here I started a layout and had to dismantle it cause of a move. I have started to rebuild a layout again. I would like to change up some of the cars I have or that have gotten messed up from the move. I still have an fair amount of boxcars (various road names. I’m going to be modeling the Midwest with mountainous section and not sure on the industry yet (maybe manufacturing). Any suggestions s. I like athern and rovarsi brans. Thanks for input.
Most freight cars can be repainted in boxcar red and redecaled for the road of your choice. Krylon or Rustolean red auto primer in a rattle can will give a nice, brushmark free paint job. The primer is opaque enough to cover anything and dries dead flat. Prepare the surface by washing in warm water with liquid dishwash. Dry thoroughly (0vernight to be sure). Practice spraying on some white scrap. Hold can about 12-18 inches from the surface. Keep it moving at a steady rate. If the paint sags and runs you are not moving fast enough or you are too close. Let the paint dry over night before decaling. I decal right onto the primer, I don’t bother with a gloss coat under the decal. Once the decal is settled in place, and excess water blotted up to prevent the decal from floating out of position, apply Solvaset. Let the decal and the solvaset dry over night. Then give the entire car a shot of DullCote to blend in the decals.
Both Athearn and Rivarossi made nice models. Athearn no longer manufactures the “blue box” kits, they sell only RTR, at higher prices. Rivarossi has withdrawn from the North American market. Accurail makes nice kits now a days. There are quite a few other makers. Any one of them who advertises in Model Railroader or Rail Model Craftsman is OK.