Charlie b's layout

[tompm]

They look stunning.

[Charlie B]

I finished the U23B's tonight. Not perfect but I am OK with them.          Charlie

[ngauger]

Great!!!! 
As long as you are satisfied, that's all that matters!! 
They look perfect from here...

[jim currie]

love the u boats my second favorite diesel.
Jim

[Charlie B]

Hi gang

     Yesterday I did something I never do....I read directions on a bottle of Badger air brush paint. I had 3 undecorated locomotives to paint and I took a lot of time washing the bodies so there would be nothing to make flaws in the finished product. I sprayed the bodies with my airbrush and when I was finished they looked great. Tonight after 24 hours of dry time I went out to look at them and the paint was flaking off in some places on all 3 bodies, 

     I have painted at least 125 locomotives and over 200 freight cars and never had this happen, I also have never used Badger airbrush paint (especially made for model railroad items) so I have concluded this will be the last time I use this product. Now I can look forward to a couple hours clean up before repainting with another brand of paint and most likely it will be Rustoleum. I have had very good results using this and a half pint is just a little more in cost than a 1 oz bottle of model paint, and it is simple to get a close color match.  

     I have many different colors in the Tru color brand but not the one I need and it is a 40 mile drive to the hobby shop where I buy it and I am still unable to leave my wife by herself for that long.

[hillyard999]

Charlie,

that is some frustration for sure.
I'm not a painter, but it sounds like it might have needed primer?
just wondering.

--hillyard

[Charlie B]

Charlie,

that is some frustration for sure.
I'm not a painter, but it sounds like it might have needed primer?
just wondering.

--hillyard

According to the directions no primer needed although one was primed and it didn't make a difference.  Everything has to be environmentally friendly in todays world but the folks making the rules don't look at the whole scenario.  I have spent 5 hours today cleaning these so I can repaint them. I used alcohol and brake fluid and I will have to use a toothpick and a straight pin to clean some of the details. Never once did I have a problem with Scale Coat or Floquil paints but they were solvent based and you had to be careful of the fumes. Comparing painting a 1/87 to the full size job the fumes are nothing.    I probably painted well over 300 automobiles and trucks (full size) and 3 locomotives and one tender.

[jim currie]

Charlie, I had the same results with badger on a brass loco with primer I now use model master lacquer. a bit on the expensive side but preforms like floquil
Jim

[Charlie B]

I got the bodies cleaned up yesterday and the paint has been applied. I compared the Conrail Historical Society paint chip to the Rustoleum sail blue gloss. Close enough because the paint faded to many blue shades over the years.     

I just applied it out of the spray can. Paint seems to keep better in spray cans. This cost was 6.95 from Walmart and I even got free delivery. It will take longer to dry before I can apply decals but I am in no hurry.  My roster consists of PRR/ Penn Central/Conrail/Norfolk Southern and all of the roads that made up these class ones.     
Charlie

[nachoman]

The rustoleum came out great!

[Charlie B]

Well, I finally got some time so I got some decals applied. I will need to add grabs on the two C40-8s and of course all the other details. I also have to install decoders but though they have to be hard wired I don't find them too hard to do.           Charlie

[ngauger]

Looks great!!! Funny how that spray paint matches the prototype color.

[TMo]

Just like they came out fresh from the paint booth in Altooner! Love 'em Charlie.

I still have about 1/3 of a bottle of Floquil Conrail Blue - that stuff's like gold apparently. Before my local guy died and his shop in town (the former Ma and Pa station in Forest Hill, MD) was closed I picked up a good selection of Polyscale paints as well (Brunswick Green, Avon Blue, Seaboard Yellow, etc.). I'll have to make sure those caps stay on those bottles...

[Charlie B]

Just like they came out fresh from the paint booth in Altooner! Love 'em Charlie.

I still have about 1/3 of a bottle of Floquil Conrail Blue - that stuff's like gold apparently.  Before my local guy died and his shop in town (the former Ma and Pa station in Forest Hill, MD) was closed I picked up a good selection of Polyscale paints as well (Brunswick Green, Avon Blue, Seaboard Yellow, etc.).  I'll have to make sure those caps stay on those bottles...

I add about 6 BB's to each bottle to help when I shake them up. I have 2 bottles of Floquil Tuscan Red and 2 Brunswick Green that are unopened and still good.  I also have some 10 cent bottles of Testors that are still OK. 

Charlie

[Charlie B]

Most of the decals are on as well as the details on the Conrail C40-8s The second decoder install was a breeze.         
Charlie