First painted coupler, ever

[Chris1274]

Not a big deal for all you seasoned modelers, but I decided to do a little experimentation on a spare MT 1035 and I'm really jazzed about the result:



I used the cheap craft acrylics that you get for a buck and change at Michael's, black on the trip pin and burnt sienna on the coupler. I can't believe the difference this one little detail makes.

[Bob Bufkin]

What color and brand of paint?  Since my wife drags me ther all the time, I might as well pick up some.  Glood job.

[robert3985]

I replace my MTL "N" gauge couplers with MTL "Z" gauge couplers, which are really close to the proper size for a true N-scale coupler.  I've only got photos of my cabooses, but the color of couplers here in Utah on the UP is a warm gray rather than solid rust.

I also make sure that before I paint my couplers, I use a brush that's been dipped in Bestine to de-grease 'em so the paint will stick as well as possible on that slippery Delrin.

Since I don't use the "Magnematic" delayed uncoupling feature of MTL couplers, I clip the "dongle" off and add a BLMA plastic brake hose as you can see on my kit-bashed CA-1.  I make sure I paint the part of the "dongle" that's protruding through the top of the coupler too, even when I've mashed it down so it's even with the top of the coupler.

Here's a photo:


Next, you need to work on your track.  Why bother to make your cars look weathered and prototypical if you're just going to run 'em on shiny, plasticky Unitrack?

Just sayin'....   

[M.C. Fujiwara]

I tried painting couplers, but they all stick!
Then I tried NeoLube!
And all my troubles stuck somewhere else!



Closest of Chris333' 20T hoppers have trucks & couplers with NeoLube, while the farther ones are just Bragdon Powdered.



All three of CG N Scale's Ventilated Boxcars (http://www.shapeways.com/model/395098/n-scale-ventilated-boxcar-2-pack.html) have NeoLubed couplers and parts of trucks (powder or paint first, then touch journal boxes and springs with microbrush of NeoLube)

I use NeoLube to stain couplers, the remains of trip pin (gotta cut them down, yo!), wheel faces, and parts of trucks (not to mention throwbars and point rails on turnouts!).

Paint sticks.

NeoLube stains and conducts.

Since those photos I've learned you can dip each end of a wheelset into NeoLube and it dulls, metals, and rolls fine.
(Just don't dip the entire wheel & axle or it's a meh-conductor.

Hope this helps.

[Chris1274]

What color and brand of paint?  Since my wife drags me ther all the time, I might as well pick up some.  Glood job.

The black paint is Folk Art "True Black." The burnt sienna is Americana. Both brands are pretty much the same, but sometimes one is on sale.

[Chris1274]

Next, you need to work on your track.  Why bother to make your cars look weathered and prototypical if you're just going to run 'em on shiny, plasticky Unitrack?

Just sayin'....   

That's just my test loop. I haven't begun work on my actual layout yet. When I do, weathering the track will be top priority.

[Chris1274]

I tried painting couplers, but they all stick!

I haven't yet tested how well it operates. I need to paint another one and see how it goes. I knew of the sticking problem, so I left the part of the coupler that would come in contact with its "mate" unpainted.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Sorry if I was unclear:
Coupler on coupler action is usually fine (unless operating under heat lamps)

The problem is paint seeping into the spaces between the two sections of knuckle that allow it to open & operate.
Basically gluing the operating knuckle into one big dummy.

No matter how careful I am trying to keep the paint only on the knuckle it seems to always seep down and gum up the box.
A little bit of plastic-friendly oil can help, but why paint & oil & risk the gum when you can just NeoLube and be in there like swimwear?

[peteski]

Sorry if I was unclear:
Coupler on coupler action is usually fine (unless operating under heat lamps)

The problem is paint seeping into the spaces between the two sections of knuckle that allow it to open & operate.
Basically gluing the operating knuckle into one big dummy.

No matter how careful I am trying to keep the paint only on the knuckle it seems to always seep down and gum up the box.
A little bit of plastic-friendly oil can help, but why paint & oil & risk the gum when you can just NeoLube and be in there like swimwear?

Have you tried airbrushing light (semi-dry) coats of paint?  That way, the paint will stay on the surface instead of seeping/wicking into the gap between the coupler halves.

[Catt]

I just dry brush,it takes a little longer but the plus side is it's easier to get some variaion in the rusting

[robert3985]

Have you tried airbrushing light (semi-dry) coats of paint?  That way, the paint will stay on the surface instead of seeping/wicking into the gap between the coupler halves.

+1

Plus a little dry-brushing after the airbrush coat has cured for a few minutes under the "help" of a hair dryer...

[robert3985]

I tried painting couplers, but they all stick!
Then I tried NeoLube!
And all my troubles stuck somewhere else!

I have NeoLubed couplers and parts of trucks (powder or paint first, then touch journal boxes and springs with microbrush of NeoLube)

I use NeoLube to stain couplers, the remains of trip pin (gotta cut them down, yo!), wheel faces, and parts of trucks (not to mention throwbars and point rails on turnouts!).

Paint sticks.

NeoLube stains and conducts.

Since those photos I've learned you can dip each end of a wheelset into NeoLube and it dulls, metals, and rolls fine.
(Just don't dip the entire wheel & axle or it's a meh-conductor.

Hope this helps.

Neolube works great for me on my Proto87Stores heel block hinges on my hand-laid turnouts as well as on the toes of the closure points where they scrape away paint on the PCB ties under them.  Lubricated, blackened and improved conductivity.  GOOD STUFF!

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Have you tried airbrushing light (semi-dry) coats of paint?  That way, the paint will stay on the surface instead of seeping/wicking into the gap between the coupler halves.

Sounds like a good technique.
However, the only airbrush I have is when I sneeze through a 00 sable 

[basementcalling]

Sounds like a good technique.
However, the only airbrush I have is when I sneeze through a 00 sable 

Didn't know you applied Bullfrog Snot with an airbrush, M. C.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Didn't know you applied Bullfrog Snot with an airbrush, M. C.

More bull than snot