I have started assembling some model kits 2 grain elevators and a Flood Loader and need some basic help. It looks like I'd be best to paint alot of this before assembly. What color and type of paint eg. enamel or acyrlic do I need to use to make a concrete grain silo or flood loader look realistic?
Large concrete structures come in many shades. A lot depends on the materials, available in the area, that are used to make the concrete. The weather; humidity, cloud shadow, precipitation, etc can cause the concrete to look different. The age of the structure is a factor too. For large concrete structures, I have used Krylon Fusion paints. They come in a spray cans and are available in most hardware/department stores. I buy mine at Walmart, they seem to be the cheapest in this area. Fusion paints are designed to adhere to plastic with minimum prep. They actually work quite well. I have painted grain elevator silos with "Satin River Rock". They also have a finer nozzle than your standard 'rattle can'. The nozzle will also allow you to regulate paint flow so you can lay on a really light coat. Once the paint is dry, I use India ink washes and chalks to weather the concrete. After I'm done, I seal the whole thing with a flat or "matte" finish. As with any spray can, shake it well and hold it at least 6 inches from the surface being sprayed. Start your paint pattern before you hit the structure and don't let off till you have passed the structure. This prevents splatter. Keep the distance from can to structure the same as you make your pass. Use many light coats rather than one heavy coat. Shake the can between passes. Use a paint booth so you don't get the paint swirling around. Swirling paint particles will be dry when they hit the structure and cause orange peel and rough patches. USE A MASK. You don't want to inhale those dry paint particles.
As a beginner, one thing to do, is to get a book or two on the subject. When I first started "air brushing" and putting structures together, I think I got every dang book I could find. I have also purchased Dave Frary's DVD on structure painting. A link is below. Another VERY, VERY good DVD is Scott Mason's series on building structures. A good tutorial or illustration is invaluable to not only a beginner, but folks that have been at it a while as well. Heck. One spends big bucks on an airbrush, a good paint supply, compressor, booth, not to mention the cost of structures themselves; it is well worth the money and time to check out some good illustrations. Its also great to have them on hand to refer to from time to time. Good luck!! >>>>Scott Mason DVD link<<<< >>>Link to purchase DVD on the below<<< 2 - How to Paint Model Structures with Dave Frary DVD Using brushes, airbrush and spray cans An introduction to painting all types of model structures. I demonstrate brush painting, airbrushing, and how to use a spray can. Topics covered: * Mixing, thinning and caring for your paint * Different types of brushes - how to use and care for them * Brush painting wood, plaster and plastic models * Simple weathering * Using spray cans to paint structures * Masking models for airbrushing * All about airbrushing * Caring for the airbrush * Painting safety * and much more! This tape contains a Quick Reference card listing the tools and materials used, paint mixing formulas, and addresses of suppliers. 60-minute VHS or DVD only $24.95
We were discussing painting before, during, or after at the SAMRA Club last night. The best thing is to be very familiar with the assembly. Windows are mounted from the inside or outside? Accessibility between silos or under steel structures? After that, It is your judgment as to what to paint first or last. No one at the club completely agreed yesterday, but generally, you will get a combination of all three. There was agreement that you should paint all parts; don't rely on the molded plastic colors in lieu of painting.
I have built three of the ADM grain elevators (twoHO,one N)and on each I left them white, but came back & weathered them. On the windows, I "painted" the raised parts with a black felt-tip pen before installing them- they look like they have black metal frames when I'm done.
Well I went down to Caboose Hobbies today and got a couple of books that have painting and weathering some structures in em. So I'm gonna read em n contemplate. They build and paint a couple of Water Tanks and do an Engine House in the one I looked at so far. Seems doable enough but the work some do here will be a bit outa my reach I'm afraid. Just hope they come out better than if I didn't take some time first to research some book experience neway's before jumping in.
Wash the parts with warm water and dish liquid soap; rinse with warm water and let dry. before using "woofy" spray cans, put the can in a container of warm water about 3/4 up to the top of the can - warm paint tends to spray better.
Some things that I have used as windows are the plastic transparency sheets glued in from behind. It seemed a little more natural than the thick plastic parts often shipped with the kits.
Final weathering, etc., should be done after all is complete on the structure. Please take into account proximity to smokestacks, etc. on the layout before final. You can use powdered chalks for the final
I got some paint ordered both brush and spray. Found colors Concrete and Old Concrete and some Grimy White. So when it gets here I'll attempt the 1st kit. I'm going to try the spray 1st as it seems like it should be easier to make look good. Weathering???? Hmmmmmm' Yep better attempt that also. From my bit a research it looks like chalk is what I'll attempt. I read a bunch after searching here last night and there is a wealth of info ya just gotta dig er up.
