Here is my step by step thread of how to paint a loco. I am starting with a Athearn BNSF R-T-R C44-9W. I have already stripped the shell. The first step is to clean the shell with warm water and soap. After the shell dries it’s time to paint. I’m using Modleflex paints for this job so no thinning is neccasary. I am using engine black for the base coat of paint. Pics to follow soon.
-Smoke
Sounds like a plan. I do pretty much what you do…however, I throw on a coat of grey primer before the colors. I like to check for flaws, especially on anything I’ve kitbashed or modified 
Smoke,
I’m really looking forward to your pictures and the rest of this tutorial.
Can’t wait to see it. I’m going to need some serious help on painting, and this will really help. me.
There aren’t any flaws as I just stripped it. It looked fine before the paint came off and it looks the same to me.
-Smoke
The other reason to put on a base coat of grey is the help get an even color tone through out the model. Light colors such as whites, yellows, reds and oranges will go on better and have a truer color over gray than black.
jktrains
Now that the shell is stripped it is time to clean it for painting. here is a list of what you need to clean the shell:
Soap
Warm Water
Your shell
Toothbrush
gloves
paper towel
Here is a picture of the items I used(wiht the exception of the paper towels).
With your gloves on take your soap and put some on your toothbrush. Start gently scrubbing the shell till you get suds. Your shell should now look like this.
Now start rinsing your shell in the warm water till all the suds are off. make sure you get ALL the suds off. Now take your shell and place it on your paper towels.
Let the shell dry overnight. That’s all for now check back later for updates.
-Smoke
Why not air dry it with the airbrush?
David B
I have done that before but I am just letting it dry tonight. I’m in no hurry to finish this project or I would have probably have done that.
If anyone has any questions along the way jusk ask, and i’ll see if I can answer it.
-Smoke
Why not air-brush dry it then apply your primer coat? Then you will have a reason to leave it overnight.
David B
I’m not putting a primer coat on since i’m painting it black.
-Smoke
The primer serves 2 purposes, one is color unification and the other is paint adhesion. If you dont primer, your black paint will rub off under heavy handling (years of experience speaking here).
What paint are you using?
David B
What primer do you recommed? I’ll try the primer if my LHS has some. I’m using modelflex paints.
-Smoke
Model flex should have a primer in their line up. I use Poly S for plastic and Scalecoat for brass.
David B
On a side note, I really dont like your smiley signature…it is abit out of place here. IMHO
Why does his smiley matter? Is my signature too offensive?
I changed it, it used to be a little graphic.
-Smoke
He had a smiley killing another smiley featuring an ending that envolves graphic blood.
No, I dont find your signature offensive, nor did I say that I found his offensive, just only out of place here on a model train forum.
David B
Well everyone does have the right to express themselves. Not to mention he took it off.
Not trying to start anything, just saying.
No, MR, you do not have the right to express themselves on these forums if it involves something against the forum rules.
“- No inappropriate images or videos. If you choose to post photos or links to videos, please keep them railroad-related and use your best judgment. Someone getting hit by a train or using poor judgment around a train (e.g. playing “chicken” with a train) isn’t welcome.”
And, he took it off as soon as I commented on it…so what is your point? I enjoy a little GTA action sometimes, but I dont post images about it here.
David B
Got me there…