I just finished weathering my first car. I just used the Floquil Instant Weathering spray can.
Let me know what you think.
OK,
Plus side: This resembles the appearance of the yellowish sands and dust picked up from running in the desert type terrains of the southwestern U.S. Cool factor here is that the cars are lettered for a road that runs through desert areas. [C):-)][tup]
Critique: A bit too much grainy overspray from above the middle (just above the D&RG) to the roof. You can fix it easily by lightly wetsanding with a 3M gray or green Scotchpad. If you take this route, gently wetsand it in a vertical pattern with firm pressure from the top next to the roof to very light pressure down towards the middle so that you’ll get a uniform blend pattern.
Overall, I like it. [8D][tup]
Looks good. If you don’t already own an airbrush I’d encourage you to get one. An airbrush allows you to perform so many more weathering techniques than spray cans. If you get one get a good quality airbrush. I bought a Paasche VL and have never regretted it. Weathering takes time, but the results can be very satisfying. Keep up the good work!
Weathering is much about personal taste, your objective, and how it influences your process. I agree there might be just a tad too much on the center of the car but overall, it works. I also so agree with converting to an airbrush to open up your control and abilities.
While the beige is very desert SW, a deep gray could be very eastern and upper midwest. Suggest you check out model trains weathered or proto weathering web sites for more perspective.
Thanks guys I appreciate the feedback.
Yes I may get an airbush eventually, but not anytime soon. I may however, pick up some AIM powders and try that.
Love the color - looks just like what we see here in Colorado. IMO you went a little too high on the car sides. I have a box of AIM powders sitting on my workbench that I haven’t had time to play with (it’s too nice outside!) but I’m looking forward to trying those, too.
Also agree with the advice on an airbrush - everyone should have one in the home! They’re not just for modeling.
Looks better than my first attempt. I think your approach is good for aging the car but you might want to add some darker grime around the ladders and other parts that would get touched by railroad personnel. Maybe you did this, but I couldn’t really tell in your photos. Also I think the roof could use some more grime from heavy running. Looks great though, keep it up.
Cahrn
My first attempt at weathering was disastrous, and to top it off, when trying to wash it down with a paint stripper, the shell started to melt.
Yours looks much nicer!
Mastering the “aging” of railroad cars takes a lot of exercise. Some of the guys showing there work here have years of experience. The best way to learn is by studying the real world, making photos which you can use as a “template” and try, try , try - a little at each time. It takes Mother Nature years to achieve the look - so why do you want to do it in 5 minutes?
Looks good for me. Do you like it? That’s important.
I’m always looking for ideas. Here’re my attempts.
Wolfgang
I think it looks great! I didn’t know Floquil still made the stuff; I first used it back in the 70’s.
Good job[tup]
I think your boxcar looks great! I wouldn’t change a thing. I think the critiques are a bit harsh. I would like it on my layout.
Hector, how are the critics being harsh??? [%-)] No one is disrespecting or putting down these nice looking cars. The critiques are honest observations.
One of the criticisms that this forum has received was that modelers were too afraid to honestly critique the work of others. Well, I enjoy helping other modelers as well as learning from them. The purpose of the critiques is to help improve our work, not trash it.
When I post photos of my work, I want to read or hear input…the good…and where room for improvement is needed! Compliments are nice, but “fluffy, polite attaboys” with no honest feedback? NO THANKS as that’s not really helping modelers push themselves to sharpen their skills!
Encouragement and honest critiques are great for helping a modeler become an even better “artist”. [;)]
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the feedback. Hopefully my weathering skills will get better.
Thanks Wolfgang for the link, I really like how you used the drybrusing technique with powders. I’m going to pick up some of those AIM powders.
First of all I think you did a good job for your first attempt, I would add a little diesel exhaust smoke on the rooves. It also looks like you made your attempt on a fairly expensive piece of rolling stock so the outcome is all the better.
Now I would recommend getting some cheap athearn blue box kits and practice advanced weathering techniques on them. Once you get familiar and are happy with the results then you can feel more confident working on the expensive stuff.
Every time I think I have over weathered a car I always find a real one that is even worse looking so it is really hard to over do it.
The criticisms were appropriate. The OP invited a critique didn’t he, in the interest of future improvement? If ego cannot withstand criticisms/suggestions for improvement, OPs should plainly say that such comments are unwelcome.
I find weathering using spray paint beyond my skill level. I prefer using mostly thin acrylic washes and brush-applied chalk. Washes and chalks are easy to control and a lot less hassle.
Mark
Technically, I think you did a good job. Artistically, I think the weathering is a little heavy. But that’s a personal preference thing that I find with most weathering.
If you’re feeling adventurous add some graffiti.
Enjoy
Paul
I like the OP images and the linked material. [^]
I would suggest looking for a seriously high quality, “deersfoot” brush in an art supplies store.
A deersfoot is exactly like the animal’s hoof (less the cloven bit)… round and angled at the end. The quality is woth the money as you get lots of very fine bristles.
With practice it can be used to hand brush a very fine powdered effect such as you can get with very light airbrushing. Much the same as the OP and the link shows with a flat brush… but you can do larger areas with fewer applications.
I can’t really tell you the technique… it’s a mix of very dry brushing and stippling… mostly striking the work ultra lightly and depositing barely any paint at all. (I use acrylics and “water-based oils” mostly by Rowney).
I like the comments on the different dust colours for different areas. Anyone suggest colours for Chicago? [:-,]. I’m reckoning that cars arrived from all over so I use something of everything… and many cars have several different layers of different colours… the important thing with this is to keep most colours minimal so that the original colours don’t get buried.
A couple of other things I do…
I put new rust, oily mess and “dust” over old rust and graffitti/road marks so that a car carries a history of where it’s been.
Before starting I mask some panels (especially roof panels) and/or car marks completely. At some stage(s) I remove this masking and carry on with more recent dust and/or graffitti and/or chalk marks. This gives me repaired cars and/or cars that have had their reporting mar