12-12-2010, 03:51 PM
I used to paint first, but changed my method. Since I brush paint the rails and the ties with water-based craft paint, I've just found it better to do after the ballast goes on. The alcohol wet water and thinned glue makes the paint darker if I paint first.
I know alot of people use an airbrush or a spray can to do the painting, but I don't. I'd would just rather do it by hand (call me crazy). For the rails, I take several colors of rust and dark brown and just randomly put them on, mixing here and there, just to have some slight variations. For the ties, I use various grays and off-whites and tans on different ties, mixing the paints, again to get a nice variation. After the paint dries, I'll put on a black wash. Yeah, it is time consuming, but with the proper brush and the proper paint density, it goes on fairly quickly.
The other day, I was thinking of doing a picture tutorial of what I do. I guess I should, as soon as I get to a 3 or 4 foot long section that I am ballasting.
I know alot of people use an airbrush or a spray can to do the painting, but I don't. I'd would just rather do it by hand (call me crazy). For the rails, I take several colors of rust and dark brown and just randomly put them on, mixing here and there, just to have some slight variations. For the ties, I use various grays and off-whites and tans on different ties, mixing the paints, again to get a nice variation. After the paint dries, I'll put on a black wash. Yeah, it is time consuming, but with the proper brush and the proper paint density, it goes on fairly quickly.
The other day, I was thinking of doing a picture tutorial of what I do. I guess I should, as soon as I get to a 3 or 4 foot long section that I am ballasting.