Weathering Rolling Stock

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I am looking in MR for the articles on weathering Rolling Stock.

Anyone know what issues or some good web sites.

Thanks in advance

Harold

2

11/2013 MR Tony Koester used PanPastels, and 11/2014 MR has a couple articles on weathering (various techniques) as well.

PanPastels, if you will use the product, has an How-to site, http://www.modelingcolors.com/howto.html that has the 2013 article, video, and a instruction sheet that you can view/download for free.

And, yes, PanPastels are very easy to use… No affiliation, just a very happy customer. [:)]

Other ways of doing weathering include, paint, chalks, washes, etc…

3

Go up to Videos in tha black stripe across the top of this page and click. You will find all kinds of videos on “Weathering”.

I also agree that chalks are the best way to start weathering rolling stock. If you screw up or don’t like what you just did, a little soap and water and you can start over. Chalks aslo work well with other methods when/if you decide to try different methods.

4

If using “adhesive” weathering powder or chalk, many of the “newer” factory finishes are a bit too “slick” and a semi-gloss to allow a good adhesion/ bite for the powders to grab. A thin Dullcoat will improve the workability and hold of your weathering efforts.

I will only use the Braegdon powders for a quick weathering of a more new or pristine look to the rolling stock, or as a quick weathering to put car in service only to weather later. Much of my weathering is done in multiple stages of drybrushing acrylics for rust, grime etc. Some get airbrushed to fog/ fade the paint and “knock” down bright lettering. Drybrushing trucks weathered black and grime, wheel spatter on ends etc done both w/ drybrush and airbrush. Many times the techniques are repeated, especially after airbrushing to show fresh, oil/ fuel or rain/ water streaking or fresh corrosion that tends to get obscurred from the overall airbrushing over the dull or faded finish.

There are many Forum members that do some fantastic weathering, hope they chime in also.

5

Weathering, popular topic, someone does an article on it every year at the least. Many of these articles require more artistic ability than I have. Here is what helps my rolling stock’s appearance and anyone can do them.

  1. Paint the trucks and the wheel faces. Shiny black plastic doesn’t look right. Trucks want either grimey black or rust. Wheel faces want oily black or grimy black for friction bearing and light brown earth or dust for roller bearing.

  2. Undercarriage wants a coat of flat gray paint to blend in the weight, the brake gear, the coupler boxes. Either dark gray or light gray from a rattle can.

  3. Chalks do a nice job, and you can wash off a bad job and redo it. But be aware. Dullcote “marries” to the chalk and makes it disappear. Either don’t use Dullcote (works on structures that don’t get handled as much as rolling stock) or put the chalk on extra extra heavy so that some is left after the Dullcote.

  4. A nice coat of Dullcote does wonders for those train set cars which are too glossy and colors too bright.

6

Hi. A search on this forum will lead you to some great threads on this topic.

7

If you’re looking for MR-specific articles, there have been many in the last several years. In fact, in the May issue (haven’t seen June’s yet), there’s an article by Pelle Soeborg on weathering an autorack car. Pelle has two Kalmbach books (“Done in a Day” and “Detailing Projects for Freight Cars and Locomotives”) that cover various weathering projects, but most of them can be found as individual articles in MR in the last several years. Cody Grivno on the MR staff has also written several articles on weathering rolling stock in the last several years.

Otherwise, there’s a ton of how-to’s out there. Go to Youtube and search for “model railroad weathering” and watch till your heart’s content!

8

Hi Harold.,

I’m with Ricky W. Another vote for Pan Pastels from me.

Pick up some old rolling stock really cheap and experiment on junk first. Get the technique down, then move on to your good stuff.

Good luck, Derek

9

Pelle Soeeborg is a master and an artist, buy his book “Detailing Projects for Freight Cars & Locomotives”. Use the products he uses [available at Hobby Lobby and other outlets] and add some Pan Pastels for the rusty details. You won’t go wrong.

My $.02 worth ;0)

Dan

10

Just noticed, but the free download today is on weathering. Just need to supply your email address to receive it. It covers rolling stock, loco’s, buildings and track. Uses airbrush and paint. Just another tip for those interested.