Author Topic: "Pre-faded" black locomotive  (Read 1565 times)

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Sharky_McSharknose

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"Pre-faded" black locomotive
« on: January 22, 2020, 04:38:46 PM »
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I have an undecorated N scale Life-Like Alco FB2 I plan to paint as NYC all-black (cigar band/early PC era). Since these locos were never repainted again after the cigar band black was applied, they were faded and grungy-looking. The FA2 that goes with it will be painted as PC 1350, which did receive fresh black paint and red-and-white worm logos... before it broke down for good a day later.  :facepalm:

For the B-unit, would I be better off using something like Tru-Color Grimy Black or Weathered Black as a base coat, or should I stick to good ol' basic Black and fade it afterwards?

wvgca

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2020, 08:19:27 PM »
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you might be better off with a dark gray as a base coat .. and -lightly- weather from there ...
would show the detail better ..

Cajonpassfan

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2020, 10:16:29 PM »
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Yeah, black black is tough under our lighting conditions: I prefer to start with something a tad lighter, like charcoal? It still needs to be glossy, for decaling, before being weathered. YMMV.
Otto K.

nickelplate759

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2020, 12:13:51 AM »
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I'd go with Tru Color weathered black rather than grimy black. The grimy black seems to have some other brownish tones in it.
George
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I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

Bryn

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2020, 03:10:48 PM »
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For aged Milwaukee Road black I use Tamiya's "Rubber Black", you can see a photo of it before I weathered it here;

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48770.0

SAH

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2020, 08:07:27 PM »
+2
I used to use grimy black for black rolling stock.  That's what "they" said you should do, but the result bugged me for some reason.  Enough so that I repainted my NKP SD9 shown below.  I like the black version weathered down to gray to bring out the details much better.

Grimy Black base coat:


Black base coat:


Sharky_McSharknose

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2020, 04:36:34 PM »
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Thanks for the replies. I have Black, Grimy Black, and Weathered Black on hand. I'll paint up some scrap styrene to make color swatches before I hit the FB2 with paint.

I also need to figure out how to unglue the glazing from the shells. I've had poor results with masking off glazed parts.

Santa Fe Guy

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2020, 08:31:39 PM »
+1
To mask your windows try Humbrol Mask-all. You carefully paint it on, let it dry then spray.
Once you have finished all of your spraying just peal it out and you have crisp clean windows.
Santafesd40.blogspot.com

Sharky_McSharknose

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2020, 03:14:51 PM »
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To mask your windows try Humbrol Mask-all. You carefully paint it on, let it dry then spray.
Once you have finished all of your spraying just peal it out and you have crisp clean windows.

Thanks for the info, I'll look out for that stuff at my semi-local hobby shop.

I was able to remove all of the glazing by very carefully cutting the glue or prying the window pieces with an Xacto chisel blade and a toothpick. No damage to the glazing and only some superficial scratches on the inside of the shell. I will post photos of my "color swatches" when I paint them to give others an idea of what the different shades of black will look like.

peteski

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2020, 04:02:56 PM »
+1
Problem with viewing color swatches on a computer monitor is that everybody will see a different shade. It all depends on the  brand and model of their monitor and video card, the video drivers, the contrast/brightness/color temperature setting of their monitor, and several other variables.   :|
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MK

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2020, 11:44:30 PM »
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You mean you don't calibrate your monitor?  :trollface:  And don't forget ambient light.  :D

peteski

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2020, 12:49:21 AM »
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You mean you don't calibrate your monitor?  :trollface:  And don't forget ambient light.  :D

Only if Sharky calibrates his camera or scanner to the same standard, and I did mention "several other variables".  :P

Wise a$$-hat!  ;)
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MK

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Re: "Pre-faded" black locomotive
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2020, 02:58:30 PM »
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LOL!!!!!   :ashat: