Need some ideas for painting this bridge

[FloridaBob]

Hi-

I'm hoping the photo appears in this message. I believe I did it right but since I'm new here
I have a feeling it's not allowed as of yet. In that case, here's an online photo of the bridge:

https://www.lindenberg-modellbahn-koeln.de/modelleisenbahn-N/kibri-geb%C3%A4ude-7g/viessmann-kibri-37669-weser-br%C3%BCcke-n-%2B-z-dfi.html

Anyway, I'm in the long arduous process of building what will be a 52 x 32 N-SCALE layout for my grandson
to be used on a coffee table during the Yuletide Season only. I figured I'd start last month. '-)

I recently purchased this KIBRI WESSER BRIDGE (hopefully photo shows) and need some ideas for spray
painting the gray and red parts. I don't want to get into airbrushing and simply want to spray with rattle cans. I DO like the
look of the red against the gray and am trying to decide what paint colors to get and what brand.

The layout will be a mountainous snow scene and again, at Christmas time.

If anyone has some ideas I'm all ears and I thank you! 

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[CRL]

That’s a pretty big bridge. I’d hire a specialty contractor with good insurance. 😉

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'd recommend going to a general purpose hobby or craft shop and looking at the options. You can probably find stuff that'll work fine.

Shoot, if you've got a light hand, the standard Krylon stuff can work.

[mmagliaro]

As a general rule, I'd toss in a vote for Tamiya (you can find it at hobby shops).  Their spray paints cover great and they spray a much finer mist than hardware store spray cans.   They have plenty of red and gray shades you can pick from.  I would avoid powerful "RED" colors unless you are really pushing hard for that Christmas look.   Something on the softer red-brown side would look more pleasant, I think.

[bman]

I get good results from Tamiya's rattle cans as well. I've used them from freight cars to buildings to roads as well as table top miniatures as a base coat. I usually use the colors from the TS line and their primers. I also like the rattle cans from Scalecoat I(metal) and II(plastic). Krylon is good as well. But like Ed mentioned it takes a light touch.

[MK]

The Tamiya rattle cans tend to have a finer nozzle so you'll get better results/coverage.

[nkalanaga]

One advantage of Tamiya over Scalecoat is that their military colors are flat.  Scalecoat's gloss is perfect for decaling, but I doubt that you'll be lettering your bridge, so the falt paint would be more realistic.

I also like the colors.  Have you considered just giving a shot of Dullcote to flatten the plastic shine?

[FloridaBob]

Hey all, many thanks for the quick ideas and responses!
Much appreciated.

I will definitely check out Tamiya
and yes, on the red color, I was thinking
of burnt reddish kinda feel.

The "dull" suggestion is also worth exploring
if not for this, other projects that will come along. Thanks!

Progress continues...

Thanks again to all, Bob

[nscalbitz]

Tamiya definitely.
Undercoat if you wish with whatever you have- but then spray from underneath (ie the shadows) with a black or dark brown.
On your highlight colours, step back another foot and spray a fine mist of black to tone down the brighter shades.
Practice this on the model or another upside down, maybe the track support area first.

Cut out some stiff card templates to use as interference guides to create an uneven 'wave' along the lower 1/3rd of bridge. Then tone down your upper 'silver' region with several light sprays of light sand and/ or tan shades to give an overall weather effect. Remember that your 'birds-eye view' of a model is untypical and the brain needs fooling to 'see' the model you envisage.
regards davew

[FloridaBob]

Dave-

Thank you!

Hadn't even considered the use of shadow-effects
via darker undersprays. That's one cool and relatively simple
effect to achieve and I will indeed give it a go!

Thanks for that tip and the other! 

Bob