I finally mustered the courage to weather my Key AC-12, I decided to go with a light weathering, used grimey black and dirt. Now all I need is new glazing on the windows.
Oohh man,that looks the goods. I'm tempted to do mine right now.I've even bought some Polly Scale "oily black" to try out,being an oil burner & all.
SPsteam,can you tell me if you disassembled the rods etc from the drivers to paint?Did you bother masking any of the pick ups etc?
That is a very good job! I can assure you that the value of that model has not went down. It may even have went up.
I usually dont disassemble the locomotives before I airbrush, other than remove or mask the couplers (they don't work to well after painting). I use a small pice of 1x6 with a piece of old track nailed to it. I have a bumper on the end and I apply power to the track as I airbrush, this keeps the wheels moving and usually prevents any missed spots on the running gear. After I'm done with that, I'll slowly rotate the wheels to see if there is anywhere that I've missed. I've found that when using acrylic paints, they don't like to stick to the metal and therefore, they rub off of the wheel treads as I paint, therefore no masking. After painting, I take the locomotive for a few hot laps around the layout to finish cleaning the wheels, just the action of the loco going around the layout is sufficient to clean the wheel treads off, also by keeping the wheels moving, I havn't had to worry about the pick-ups being fouled. One down side with the acrylics on metal, the loco needs to be handled carefully or the paint may chip off easier than if I had used enamels. A quick coat of dull-coat usually protects the paint for the most part. Now you know my secret.
Thanks SPsteam,I asked because I have another product I've been waiting to use,PBL's neo lube.Have been tempted to try on a steamers rods etc,but this stuff is conductive as well so that's where I'm hesitant to use it. Anyone used Neo Lube before? Still it's great to see a well done weathering job & I might just get my loco out & do it this week end. P.s:your secret is safe with me
Neolube I use Neolube for steam locomotive driver tires and rods, as well as trip pins on couplers. Have had absolutely no problems, but will say that it will eventually wear off rods. It was used on these locomotives:
