Testors paint marker questions

UP1996 Dec 24, 2009

  1. UP1996

    UP1996 TrainBoard Member

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    Hi,

    I have some track that I plan to weather on the layout. Has anyone used the Testors paint markers to weather rail? Is it easier and less messy than airbrush or paint brush? Were the final results acceptable?

    TIA
     
  2. Ristooch

    Ristooch TrainBoard Member

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    I am using the Testor's Paint Pens on my current layout with Atlas Code 55 track. I think it's a great product for track painting and any other miscellaneous small painting/weathering tasks. It's fast and you cannot beat the "no cleanup" aspect. Throw in the fact that you don't have to deal with overspray and it's a winner.

    Since it is an enamel, of course it creates fumes, but this is minimized with careful use and good ventilation.

    I use railroad tie brown on the main lines and a combination of rust followed by rail tie brown on the sidings. Actually I am not overly particular about which color goes first.

    The paint dries a bit transparent, but you can either go back and re-coat or live with it. I am happy that it kills the silver shine of the rails.

    I usually do 4-5 feet at a time, including turnouts. I either slide the pen along each side of each rail, or, as the point wears, I can ride the top of the rail and it flows down the sides. I then go back and clean the rail tops. I prelubricate turnouts with light, plastic-compatible oil and work them several times before and after painting. It is a bit tricky to get down inside the tight parts of the turnout, but I try not to lose too much sleep over that. Got plenty of other stuff to worry about!

    Give it a try. I think you'll like it also.
     
  3. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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    I've been using these to weather Unitrack, I like the color of the ballast and ties and the markers make painting the rail easy.
     
  4. John G. Adney

    John G. Adney Passed away May 19, 2010 In Memoriam

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    This is a fine idea. Testor markers are now on my want list the next time I visit the LHS.

    I didn't like the idea of spraying tracks; wasn't comfortable with it.

    Red and black colors also are available with the Sharpie pens found at craft shops and mega-box stores. I'm always surprised by what I find in craft stores, such as items for scenery, dowels and other wood shapes, paints, and more. If my wife is going to a craft shop for her quilting hobby, I tag along to search for items for my new layout. The bench is done but track, a river and lake and other scenery, and structures are among the things yet to be accomplished. I'm retired (by disability, not by choice) and have plenty of time to devote to the layout.
     
  5. pastoolio

    pastoolio TrainBoard Member

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    I got one of these at Wally World for a couple bucks the other day. Works great for a flat black. Don't know how long it will last, but so far I've done 16' of rail.

    Mike

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Brown Paint Pens and Black Permanenet Markers

    I use paint markers to color the rails and ties, but I also use an airbrush for final weathering of the track and ballast.

    I have used any of the paint pens from art stores as they have many shades of brown to choose from. I will go to Walmart to check out the Elmer's paint pen. I do prefer the petroleum based types for track. I had not even heard of the Testor's pen set; I will try that one. As Floqui,l it should be a quality paint. Most all of these paint pens have a problem with drying out over time.

    For black I use a permanent black marker and not a paint pen. Other permanent marker colors are not opaque in my experience, so I only use the black permanent marker color.
     
  7. UP1996

    UP1996 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for all the feedback and ideas. I'm going to try the Floquil markers and post some before/after pics. I like the Elmers pen idea too. I'll see if I can locate some of those at Wallymart.

    I've tried brown and black Sharpies in the past and as I recollect, they work fine on porous stuff but, on plastic they dry somewhat glossy.

    I'm thinking about using the Floquil pens and then spraying the track lightly with rattle can matte finish to knock some of the shine off the ties.

    Again, I appreciate all the ideas.
     
  8. UP1996

    UP1996 TrainBoard Member

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    Follow up:

    I tested a small section of Atlas C55 flex track with all three colors
    Rail Brown
    Rust
    Tie Brown

    included in the Testors/Floquil track pack. I shook the pens for 30 seconds per the instructions, primed them by pushing down on a paper towel (the tips are spring loaded and retract into the tube-not mentioned in the instructions) and went to town. I had all three or so inches done in less than a minute using all three colors. These things are great ! and will be a great time saver IMHO.

    Here are a couple of pics with the different colors applied:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  9. stewarttrains98

    stewarttrains98 TrainBoard Member

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    Well they look really nice. Did the paint dry flat or did it dry with a little shine to it? I have read other folks experiences with this and some said that it dried a bit shiney and some said it was fine.
     
  10. UP1996

    UP1996 TrainBoard Member

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    All three colors dried very flat. Which is nice.

    Clean up was going over the top of the rails with a paper towel and putting the caps back on the pens. :tb-biggrin:
     
  11. Fotheringill

    Fotheringill TrainBoard Member

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    The rail brown looks great. So does the rust. I would, though, take some test photos of the rail brown with lighting that people would normally use when taking layout photographs. I suspect that the rust would come out too bright and the rail brown would be perfect.
     
  12. UP1996

    UP1996 TrainBoard Member

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    I agree. The rust is a little bright for me. A lot more orangey than I would prefer. I'm really liking how the tie brown came out. I might just do all the ties in that color.

    I tried to get some better lighting and a darker background in this photo.
    [​IMG]
     
  13. Westfalen

    Westfalen TrainBoard Member

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    The color Floquil call rust has always looked a bit odd to me, I also prefer the rail brown.
     
  14. drgwspup

    drgwspup TrainBoard Member

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    thanks for the photos! excellent idea.
     
  15. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Example of Weathered Track

    Here is some track that I weathered. While I like my result, I think I have made it too intricate with too many unnecessary steps. Others have obtained better results with less effort. I plan to try their methods next time.

    [​IMG]
     

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