I have a a SOO SD60 by Athearn that I want to age to get a creamy effect so that when I "patch" it for the more useful (to me) Indiana Railroad I get a good contrast with new white paint. Part of the attraction is that I dont have to repaint the original livery to turn it into a different railroad so I dont want to bother with a repaint in a creamy aged white. I might sound daft but could I get the right effect by sticking it in the sun for a few weeks (not that we get much over here in jolly old England)? Or alternatively does anyone have good ideas for a simple wash? Thanks
The sun will definitely age the white but it will have an even stronger effect on the red and I don't think you will like the shade, as it will probably turn pink. I think a wash will be a better idea....but what wash? Can anyone here help our friend from England? Candy
When I did my Soo GP9 (in the maroon), I started with a black india ink wash, then went to yellow (Soo Line Delux Gold - Model Flex) for the nose, and on parts of the stripes along the walkway. Then I hit the whole thing with a wash of Soo Line Maroon, to washout the yellow. I'm really happy with the results (I'll take a picture when I get home). I'd say something similiar would work. I'd start with a really light india ink wash more to bring out the details. The I'd move on to a grey, and a rust. For my paint washes, I actually just used Model Flex paint thinned down with water.
Noticed that Athearn makes the unit that scheme. Not sure if it was on the SD50 or 60. But I think that a very light wash of black then maybe a very very light coat of aged white or similar should do the trick.
It will take a lot longer than a few weeks. I have a scratch built radio controlled tugboat where the upper cabin was painted with Floquil Reefer White. It took years to age it and that was only a little aging. There was a time where I took it to the R/C boat pond in Central Park (NYC) every weekend and I stay there for hours on end. Then I got married...but there's a different topic. LOL!
