Especially since Atlas did not include a hand crank with the model. :wink3: And Flash, I also generally model the landing gear in the down position so the trailer can be parked by itself at an industry or placed on a flatcar. Fortunately, the Atlas Pines trailers and the Micro-Trains Fruehauf trailers come with two sets of landing gear, so you can easily change positions for photographs. Carter
Painting Wheels and Rims True. Good idea, Carter. :thumbs_up: You could keep a jewel box of the landing gear with both types so you could switch as needed. On a slightly different subject: painting wheel rims. I have just painted a bunch and my eyes are crossing! Is there some easy way to mass produce painting these wheels and rims so that it doesn't take so long? I have a bunch to do. My method is to spray paint them all the tire color like Panzer gray or weathered black. Then I use a small wooden stick or a brush to paint the rim. Sometimes I have to touch up the tire if I mess up on the rim.
Flash, What works for me with the Atlas, DeLuxe and Micro-Trains trailer wheels where the tires are already black is to paint the wheel centers first with a small brush and acrylic paint. Before the paint dries, I use a sharp toothpick or even my finger to rub off any paint that may get on the tire. Then I spray everything with a flat finish such as Dullcote. This gives the black tire a somewhat weathered look, but additional weathering can be done with powders (I use black and brown powdered Tempra paint) or one can achieve a more weathered look by dry brushing with the paint of your choice. Carter
I usially use a silver Sharpie to paint the wheels. It is usially accurate enough to avoid having to scrape off paint on the tires. I like to sand my tires anyway as it gives them a nice flat look instead of shiny black.
Great idea! I have to go to Michael's anyway. Sand them?! That's pretty hard core. Looks like Dullcote would do just as well?
I have also started using a silver Sharpie for the wheel centers of automobiles and other light duty vehicles, but you want to be careful following up with Dullcote. The solvents in the Dullcote will dissolve the ink from the Sharpie, and the silver will run all over the place. Carter
I just bought some paint pens; I didn't think of using a sharpie. You might try some water based flat paint; I use Accuflex but I have to get the air brush out to do it. My paint pens have about 1.5 mm tips; I wish they were smaller. I tried them today and I still have to touch up a little. Also bought some India ink for a wash of some type to weather them..
Roof and sidewall patches are a must. Weathering really helps Here is a S&R models 40' kitbashed into a pup trailer. The bumper. is really the only added detail. http://greenlightintermodal.info/uploads/PictorialReviewofIntermodalTrailers.pdf Here is a link to trailers currently available.
My first experience with India ink before and after. I was trying for some rain streaking. Hope you can tell the difference in the photos; I can definitely tell a difference with the naked eye. The mixture was one-half ounce windshield washer fluid and one drop of India ink. Before: After:
Looks good to me. I can see the difference. A few years ago I bought a product called Dr. Ben's (no relation) Realistic Instant Age. It is in a similar bottle and smells like rubbing alcohol, the low proof variety like on drug store shelves. It may have black pigment dissolved as shaking the bottle with each use is required. But it gives an effect similar to what you have done. I only have used it on structures. But I never got the hang of one of the suggstions of the maker of Dr. Ben's which was to let the weathering solution flow upward rather than down. But for rain streaking yours looks great. I'm not sure you even need the smudge of black along the upper front edge from exhaust fumes from the tractor. Ben
I used the silver Sharpie's when they 1st came out. I did this truck about 5 years ago. On this one,you can see I used the pen to do thr side rails,top & bottom,hinges,rods,levers,ICC bumper & wheels. The red is also a Sharpie. I hope my tremors get better so I can detail all the trailers I've bought over last 4 years. I also have reefer units to add. They will look better than the 2 I did with styrene.
Since I cleaned up my workbench, I can see all the trucks I had under that mess. Here is an upgrade of three Atlas Ford 9000 and a Volvo (Wiking?). Today I learned how to make an air breather with styrene strip. I also like to add the exhaust stacks, but I tend to put dual stacks on all of them and I think that is not prototypical. It is a pet peeve of mine for the tractors not to have mud flaps. I don't know why, but there it is. :biggrin9xs: The red cab in the back is a casting of some type. It is next on the upgrade. How does anyone create and add the large outside mirrors? How do you make those air/electrical hoses behind the cab? Thanks. There are some nice models in this thread. Hope some TB members will update with their creations of the last year.
Flash - the new cabs look great. The painted lights are a nice touch. The Athearn cabs come with etched metal mirrors -- I wonder if these are available as a separate part? Here are some trailers I did recently, largely inspired by the nice work in this thread: The door hardware was finished with decal stripes since I had a hard time getting sufficient control with Sharpies (but Sharpies work well for the side sills). Here are a few more views: Best, Gary
Flash, it's okay to not like a tractor without mudflaps. I don't, either. I don't know about other states, but here in Cali., I think it's illegal for a tractor to not have mudflaps when not pulling a trailer. A couple of the tractors I've driven have the manufacturer's name on them, which is kind of nice, I think. Does someone make decals for Kenworth or Freightliner or International? If you want to be extra fancy, some drivers have chrome weights on their mudflaps to keep them from flapping around too much. Also, don't forget the CB radio antennas on the mirrors. I used a single strand of wire for mine in HO. Trucks can be just as addicting as locos when it comes to detailing. It could be a whole other hobby in itself!
No kidding! I thought that good looking woman profile on the mud flaps was just decoration! :girl_hug: Glad to know it is a required accessory. Doh! Of course! :lightbulb: Why didn't I think of that? Gold medal Models has them, too.
