Am seeking someone for some HO custom painting, decaling, renumbering etc of HO locos, mostly non-brass, reliable, reasonably prompt, fairly priced.
Would appreciate any recommendations.
I have seen ads in Model Railroader, and other mags, for folks who do this very thing. As far as reliable, prompt and decent pricing, I have heard some horror stories, so watch it. There is one guy that I know of that you would be lucky to ever see your model again after sending it to him. I don’t believe he is in the biz anymore, thank goodness.
Do you have a local hobby shop? Perhaps they know someone or do it themselves. you can also check out any local clubs, sometimes someone there does work or has an outlet for custom work.
If you have many locos, it’s not going to be cheap, you may consider buying an airbrush, practice on some inexpensive stuff and do it youself. You’ll find it’s not that hard and you’ll find many uses for that airbrush.
I s that the ole’ giving somebody a fish or teaching them to fish concept?[:)]
Yes, the way I see it the cost of an airbrush will pay for itself over the years. Mike.
if you are not into doing it yourself there are two gentlemen who advertise in MR that do custom painting. The email address on the bottom of the add is painter48@adelphia.net The email goes to John, who is an excellent painter. His friend Bob also does excellent work. They are usualy pretty booked up with work but usually can give you a fairly good estimate of time.
Dan Pikulski
Gerry at Maine Trains in Chelmsford, Massachusetts does this sort of thing. I’ve seen his work, and it’s really professional. Check the shop’s web site at www.mainetrains.com for a few pictures and more info.
This guy does great work.
If you look at the homepage the OMI 3 UNIT GAS TURBINE is mine. He painted it. I painted the second one I bought. That was after I got good with the airbrush. Thats not an ordinary diesel. It’s the FUEL TENDER, TURBINE UNIT, AND TRACTION CAB UNIT. And anyone who has a Overland model knows about all the small details including disassembling the trucks for the springs, ect. He does fantastic work and is reasonable. He charged me I think $200.00 to do it. I wouldn’t do it myself for twice that ammount. Included in the price was shipping, constant lighting in both the fuel tender and cab, complete crew, and weathering on the turbine stack. I was impressed.
I do custom paint work and am short on cash at the moment. Email me the details and we can work something out.
James
Give it a go yourself, practice on some cars or cheap toys with modle spray paint and Walmart paint .I do a pretty good job I think and taught my self;
Look and see a couple of things on my page I have done lately.:
http://gilfinn.proboards83.com/index.cgi?board=picx&action=display&thread=1162241102
A Walthers kit I painted
http://gilfinn.proboards83.com/index.cgi?board=2&action=display&thread=1158766038
http://www.2coolfishing.com/gallery/Aunt_Joyce’s_Gallery/shay5.jpg
Now if I can please me you can do as well or better. I am no expert and have screwed up my share of cars and structures but it is a lot of time and entertainment painting and kit bashing used and existing stuff.
I get cheap used stuff on ebay like flats and paint then, add chains and stakes and make some nice log cars .
This is the fun part for me.
Let me second Papa’s Trains. I know Larry Eyman personally and he’s a great guy. His prices are resonable and he does great work … I’ve had him do some of my locos for the Siskiyou Line.
I also agree his prices simply amaze me … I could never charge the cheap rates Larry does and expect to make any money. Even though Larry’s rates are low, he is careful and finicky about doing a good job.
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. [swg]
Thanks for all your input.
I own a couple airbrushes and have painted on and off my entire life but at almost 63 and with trifocals I am at the point where I just don’t have the patience nor visual acuity I once had. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor…this is one of them!!
Thanks again!
Jobfather
PS Has anyone out there ever used Trains Emporium…just curious.
I am a custom builder/painter since 1989, see my profile for email.
http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1440348
Job Father, I need you to email me your return e-mail address so I can send you the response to the email you sent me.
Thanks.
James