I need a recipe for the gray paint--it's not black, but close. Anyone have a good mix? Polly Scale or Modelflex, please... One last thing? What kind of beacons? Now I need to find some winterization hatches.
Wow. Beautiful. You will show us all about the painting as well, and decals, and the final detailing?
I guess just picture a EB-schemed F-3, and flatten its nose a bit... As much as I can! I have a large list of items that need painted, and installed after the loco is painted and decals are down. The side handrails, for example are impossible to paint around, so they stay off until after the shell is done. The (all of them; front, rear, side) handrails are all 3 colors! The grabs are in 3 different colors as well. There are so many more details to add, like cut levers, plows, MU cables and hoses, windshield wipers, beacons, horns, antennas, speed recorders, ad nauseum....
At one time I had painted some GN Big Sky Blue units. I used Floquil paint and used Reefer White GN Blue and SP Lark Dark Grey for the colours. Looks like an excellent job on the F-45's you have going there. Hope the colour information helped out.
The painters were more ready than I thought! First the white paint went down. Notice I didn't paint the entire engine white. I simply painted white where the white stripe would be located. This minimizes obscuring details when you load the shell up with paint. White: Then mask for blue, after a couple hours dry time: Then blue is next. I used Modelflex GN Big Sky Blue, and Polly Scale Reefer White so far. The GN gray will be a custom mix.
Here's the result so far: Maybe tomorrow I can mask for the gray! I want to let the shells rest overnight, so the paint can fully cure.
Jeremiah Looks good. Of course it would look much better in Cascade Green. Plus, you would be done painting.
If/when Athearn delivers their F45's, I want one in BN and one in MRL... Otherwise, it was tough to decide on a paint job for this pair! Thanks, Joe! The biggest challenge was getting the curve on the nose correct. I experimented with many different round objects before I found the one that made the curve look correct. A fresh #11 blade, a glass plate, and a steel straightedge are all I use to prepare the tape. The tape? 99-cent brand X masking tape.
Very nice. :thumbs_up: May I ask a possibly dumb question? How exactly did you use a round object to create your mask? I just can't picture it.
nice job Jeremiah (and it was the final kick in my nadgers [thank you] that I finally start with mine too, I have eight kits here I should better finish and sell before Athearn will release them...)
Chaya, there are no dumb questions just dumb answers... one way to use a round object to cut masking tape is to stick the masking tape on a glass plate or a mirror and use the round object as a guide to cut the masking tape in shape and then stick the masking tape onto the shell/model...
This is the T vent but the GN may or may not have had them. I'm a Kiwi so take that into account ATSF 5977 It's the T shaped thingy after the 2nd dynamic brake fan thingy. Yes the example is Santa Fe not GN.:tb-biggrin:
I masked and shot gray tonite--no pics, but it'll give you something to look forward to tomorrow! I think they came out well. Thanks for the attaboys, advice and encouragement! I couldn't have finished this far without it! Steve has hit it right on the head.... Thanks, Steve! Loads of work (and praying) has gone into this build! It's finally paying off! I think this is the turbo vent. Doesn't seem to be on GN units, but I have no roof photos, and most have winterization hatches..... (something else to buy and add!)
Thanks, Steve, I think I understand a little better. Jeremiah, what size round object did you end up using? If I have a clue about size it will help me figure this out.
I used a...shoot what was it..My secretary is typing this for me and I can't think and read her typing at the same time. Just to good for me. ha ha. Sorry. Hemi used a (listen to the Jeopardy Music while he goes and mesures it.) .730 and 1 inch. it was just something he had laying in the tool box. Hope you all understood that. typed: Secretary...aka wife
