Weekend Update 4/24/11

[Day One]

I've been painting DPM buildings. Man I hate painting the windows on these things. I'm never happy with how sloppy they look when I brush paint them so I'm trying out a different way of doing it. First I airbrush the windows the color I want and then I cut up .010 sheet styrene into rectangles the size of the window openings using a bit of rubber cement to hold them in place. Then I can shoot the main color. I'm hoping the rubber cement will clean up easily. I'll find out tomorrow when the paint is dry and I peel off the masks. The red brick building I was able to get the masks to pressure fit in so no glue there. Looks like it worked OK on the red building. Hoping the white one works out as well. Cutting all the styrene pieces was a bit of work and I'm thinking the next building I do, I might just cut up blue painters tape and skip the styrene. But I've had issues with the tape pulling off the paint it's supposed to protect so...we'll see I guess.

these are just quick iphone pics so not great quality.

[Bob Bufkin]

Rich, he's pure Sheltie and ornery as hell.

[Rich Reinhart]

Rich, he's pure Sheltie and ornery as hell.

Yup, I got his "brother" in my house..stubborn as a mule...

[johnhale]

I've been painting DPM buildings. Man I hate painting the windows on these things. I'm never happy with how sloppy they look when I brush paint them so I'm trying out a different way of doing it. First I airbrush the windows the color I want and then I cut up .010 sheet styrene into rectangles the size of the window openings using a bit of rubber cement to hold them in place. Then I can shoot the main color. I'm hoping the rubber cement will clean up easily. I'll find out tomorrow when the paint is dry and I peel off the masks. The red brick building I was able to get the masks to pressure fit in so no glue there. Looks like it worked OK on the red building. Hoping the white one works out as well. Cutting all the styrene pieces was a bit of work and I'm thinking the next building I do, I might just cut up blue painters tape and skip the styrene.

Most DPM windows are one of three or four basic dimensions aren't they. If this is true, you should be able to reuse your styrene masks. I had not thought of this idea, but I like it.

[bbussey]

The DPM styrene window masking will work.  There is a Christopher Brimley article on the N Scale Limited site from a few years ago that articulates this exact method.

[Denver Road Doug]

The DPM styrene window masking will work.  There is a Christopher Brimley article on the N Scale Limited site from a few years ago that articulates this exact method.

I wonder if that would be a good use for that Silhouette SD device?  I was thinking window masks and also for tie/track/rail masks for weathering.  You could scan in a pic of a turnout, create a paint mask, and it would be a quick and easy process.  Or a tie pattern for weathering normal tangent or curved track.

[dnhouston]

Started work on a small yard

[Philip H]

I wonder if that would be a good use for that Silhouette SD device?  I was thinking window masks and also for tie/track/rail masks for weathering.  You could scan in a pic of a turnout, create a paint mask, and it would be a quick and easy process.  Or a tie pattern for weathering normal tangent or curved track.

I could use a few of all these. Please send price list when available.

[cv_acr]

Started work this weekend on some modules for a HO switching layout for my apartment. Got the boxes for the benchwork all together and just need to finish assembling the legs underneath.

No pictures yet, the pieces are still in my dad's workshop, should be able to finish up and bring them to my place on Tuesday night.

You can see a mock-up of the design over in the Layout Engineering section:
http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,23726.0.html

[sizemore]

Put an offer in on a house Friday. Will find out today or tomorrow if they accept.

The S.

[71jeep]

Thanks allot guys this car is one of favorite I had to make one for fleet they just scream PRR heavy duty.

And this is my first car with decals printed from my Alps I am very happy with it.

Allen.....

[Day One]

I wonder if that would be a good use for that Silhouette SD device?  I was thinking window masks and also for tie/track/rail masks for weathering.  You could scan in a pic of a turnout, create a paint mask, and it would be a quick and easy process.  Or a tie pattern for weathering normal tangent or curved track.

When I was cutting these masks and then trimming them to fit the Silhouette popped into my head as a better way to do this. It would be so nice to be able to enter the dimensions of the windows and have them cut out to those dimensions rather than hoping my hand cut ones would be close enough. If you got the dimensions right, you wouldn't need any tape or rubber cement to hold these in place. Rather they could just press fit in.

A fellow modeler is on the verge of ordering one of these. I think I'll have to help push him along to get one. I hope to have access to it when he does.  ;D

[SkipGear]

When I was cutting these masks and then trimming them to fit the Silhouette popped into my head as a better way to do this. It would be so nice to be able to enter the dimensions of the windows and have them cut out to those dimensions rather than hoping my hand cut ones would be close enough. If you got the dimensions right, you wouldn't need any tape or rubber cement to hold these in place. Rather they could just press fit in.

A fellow modeler is on the verge of ordering one of these. I think I'll have to help push him along to get one. I hope to have access to it when he does.  ;D

I've done this for a few buildings and passenger cars before with my vinyl cutter. The primary reason I bought the cutter was to create paint masks for RC car bodies so making paint mask for model railroading was a natural step. I have a lo-tac vinyl paint mask that I use that does not lift paint and leaves a cleaner line than tape.

[towl1996]

Thanks allot guys this car is one of favorite I had to make one for fleet they just scream PRR heavy duty.

And this is my first car with decals printed from my Alps I am very happy with it.

Allen.....

Any chance this will be offered as a kit?
Thanks

[skm]

Thanks allot guys this car is one of favorite I had to make one for fleet they just scream PRR heavy duty.

And this is my first car with decals printed from my Alps I am very happy with it.

Allen.....

You kidding?  
This is awesome, I just hope you etch a few and let us pay for them!
FWIW: Would look even better with some crown (bowser; spring pattern wrong) or andrews trucks (MTL or Atlas; the Atlas are finer in detail)