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Post by dave on Feb 8, 2018 20:14:28 GMT -5
Good evening,
I am going to create a small layout (20" x 36") and will use Atlas Flex track. I am not going to have any turnouts and the shape will be very similar to railfan layout here on the forum. I have never painted (or weathered) track before and would like to some advice on the best way to do it. I do not have an airbrush so that option is out. I would also like to ballast the track and welcome advice on the best ballast to use and a technique for beginners. I wanted to use Itty Bitty cork roadbed but can't find a vendor except IBL themselves. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Post by dazed on Feb 8, 2018 21:04:12 GMT -5
You can ask this question of 1,000 modelers and get 1,000 answers, but here's my two cents...
I personally like to take a lot of time on this step, painting ties and rails different colors and involving a lot of masking to keep the paint from getting *too* thick. It's not as critical for track versus, say, rolling stock, but it is something to be mindful of since you don't have an airbrush. Color depends on the prototype I'm modeling.
You can get decent results with a single color, and it is MUCH MUCH easier. If you want me to pick one, I'd use the brown from the Krylon Camo series...I'm a fan, and it seems to be popular among the forums lately.
I would paint a smallish section, stop, immediately rub the tops of the rail with the soft edge of some masonite so the paint doesn't hurt conductivity, and then continue. Make sure you get the inside edge and try to leave the outside edge alone as the wheels (hopefully) will never see that edge. You can also selectively wipe off random ties to signify replaced ties. (this works better with the black ties that Atlas used to use, but it still is a good effect on the C55.)
Then I would go back and drybrush (or use chalk) a reddish/rust color onto the sides of the rails and the "tie plates". Use an index card or scrap styrene to mask the ties as you go. Again, the color would be dependent on your proto....use a color that looks right for what you want to model.
Ballast...well I would just follow the bajillion "how-to" videos online. One tip I like to do though is cut out a ballast profile using a card or styrene that you use to make a good smooth ballast profile along the roadbed. (and for roadbed I would just use Midwest N cork. Get some cheap caulk to edge the back side of the cork to get the same profile as the precut bevel. Again, use a notecard cut to that profile to smooth it out.)
Doug
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Post by neverland on Feb 8, 2018 21:16:41 GMT -5
Z scale IBL cork shows up on eBay all the time. When I was shopping for it I looked every day & bought packages as they showed up. You could buy N scale & trim it down.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Feb 8, 2018 23:58:51 GMT -5
Z scale IBL cork shows up on eBay all the time. When I was shopping for it I looked every day & bought packages as they showed up. You could buy N scale & trim it down. Why give eBay the fee? buy direct from IBL at the same or better price: www.iblproducts.com/roadbed.htm#ZCork |
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Post by texrail on Feb 9, 2018 3:22:33 GMT -5
This is my way: I use corrugated cardboard and Revell "rust" color. For the ballast I use a very dark one, as the SP used slag from a smelter in El Paso/Tx. in this area.  |
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Post by domi on Feb 11, 2018 15:47:16 GMT -5
Nothing to add to what is written above, except that prior to painting rails one should not forget to apply a spray of metal primer on these.  Dom |
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Post by Admin on Feb 11, 2018 21:59:56 GMT -5
Years ago I read where Tom Mann used KILZ primer (I use a similar primer - Zinsser® Bulls Eye 1-2-3® primer spray) and this just creates a great initial base that would adhere to virtually any plastic or metal. From there you can use anything from weathering powders to washes and it tends to hold in place, whereas straight paint with no primer is more likely to flake, chip or smear off in my experience. Raildig article | KILZ primer on sectional trackI've used this on Z flex as well with great results. These are MTL flex shots with Zinsser primer, acrylic washes and weathering powders and locally sourced (my driveway) dirt and gravel sifted down to scale. I tend to like very grungy track and ballast.   On sectional:  Then with a single wash and powders but before ballast, it covers nicely and gives a good base to work on:  John Raildig |
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Post by neverland on Feb 14, 2018 21:32:38 GMT -5
Z scale IBL cork shows up on eBay all the time. When I was shopping for it I looked every day & bought packages as they showed up. You could buy N scale & trim it down. Why give eBay the fee? buy direct from IBL at the same or better price: www.iblproducts.com/roadbed.htm#ZCorkRob-- if you go to IBL's website & try to buy Z single or double track cork beds, the purchase cannot be completed. Only the switch pads appear to be available. |
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Post by dave on Feb 15, 2018 15:56:01 GMT -5
Dazed....will you please elaborate on your statement of rubbing the tops of the rails with soft Masonite? Where do you get this product? I thought about just a rag with thinner.
I would be interested in how others wipe off the excess paint from the rails. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by BAZman on Feb 16, 2018 13:10:17 GMT -5
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Post by Rob Albritton on Feb 16, 2018 18:04:46 GMT -5
Rob-- if you go to IBL's website & try to buy Z single or double track cork beds, the purchase cannot be completed. Only the switch pads appear to be available. Just send him an email. That’s what i did. |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Feb 20, 2018 8:36:29 GMT -5
IBL email is ibl@hnet.net
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