Best way to letter a weathered, undecorated steam engine?

Bronxarnie Apr 28, 2016

  1. Bronxarnie

    Bronxarnie TrainBoard Member

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    I have been puzzled for a long time as to why some talented modelers offer for sale steam engines that have been beautifully painted, with prototypically correct weathering which has been over-sprayed with Dullcoat, but with no lettering on the engine or tender. I have been tempted to buy one of these beauties more than once, but am unsure as to the wisdom of trying to decal an engine as described above.

    Any thoughts from the members of this groups would be appreciated, i.e., how do you go about adding road numbers and road names to an engine that has sealed in weathering? Maybe I am missing something here, and there is a simple answer, but I would like some guidance from fellow modelers who have successfully tackled this issue.

    Thanks!

    Arnold Rubin
    Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
     
  2. Josta

    Josta TrainBoard Supporter

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    Best thing I could think of would be to spray model with gloss, apply lettering, then dulcote, then weathering powders (for better control) to re-blend it back in.

    John
     
    BarstowRick likes this.
  3. Bronxarnie

    Bronxarnie TrainBoard Member

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    Hey John: I have been tempted more than once to do what you have suggested...the thought of taking a beautifully weathered, painted brass steamer, add lettering, re-weather it so it all blends in nicely, then seal it with dulcote makes me a bit nervous! But I do appreciate your guidance...thanks.
     
  4. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    That is precisely what I did when I had to letter an already weathered (and lettered) loco [for whatever reason, all but one of the prior decals just dried and lifted after about 6 months]
     

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