Large Scale Central

First Time Make-over

Modeling
#1

I am attempting my first ever re-paint on a locomotive, my Hartland Big John that I have.
Love the engine, hate the color.
I am not looking to do anything fancy, just want to paint the engine a flat matte Black. I have started taking the engine apart already and I am trying to mark everything so I will know how to put it all back together.
My real question is… are there any brand spray paint that works better for painting loco’s then others?
Plan on using a primer, then paint.

Thanks,
Vinny

#2

I’ve had real good results with Krylon Flat Black. Lots of other folks seem to like it, too. Use several light coats.

#3

I used Rustoleum on my Accucraft 0-6-0 which was brass. However I have used their products on plastic, too. My best advice is to do many LIGHT coats. If you don’t think you put on enough, stop, and wait for it to dry. Also light coats will dry much faster. (Ha! Another job for Captain Obvious)

If you are going to decal, do it on a gloss surface. After, spray a clear MATTE finish, and the decal edges should disappear.

Good luck!

Lou

#4

I painted my locomotives with Krylon, but that was several years ago. Lately Krylon doesn’t seem to cover as well and I have switched to the 2X Rustoleum.

#5

I have been using Krylon products for quite some time, but like Bruce, I’m switching to Rustoleum’s Painters Touch 2X. It comes in a good variety of colors, it’s compatible to Krylon and works extremely well with decal material. I find that after the decals are dry, the first coat of satin or clear should be a very light, “fog” coat followed by slightly heavier… “Apply lightly” is a good rule to follow for the over coats.

There a 3 clear coats available… Clear, Satin and Matte. I generally use Satin for under and overcoating… Just my preference…

#6

PS… Nicely done, Lou… It looks great…

#7

Take pictures as you take it apart, show how tricky parts fit… I was always sure I’d remember IIRC …

I haven’t painted a loco, but I had good luck with Krylon’s Fusion when I followed the instructions … yes that was after it crazed when I charted my own course… yeah the instructions were with those stinkin’ badges…

John

#8

Thanks everyone, I picked up some Rustoleum professional.
My first snag I have run into is getting the tool boxes off on the bottom side of the loco, they seem to be glued in place(?), however, the screws that hold the cab in place are underneath them…

#9

Vincent D’Agostino said:
Thanks everyone, I picked up some Rustoleum professional. My first snag I have run into is getting the tool boxes off on the bottom side of the loco, they seem to be glued in place(?), however, the screws that hold the cab in place are underneath them…

Vinnie, don’t force it, just get a bigger hammer.

#10

Steve Featherkile said:

Vincent D’Agostino said:
Thanks everyone, I picked up some Rustoleum professional. My first snag I have run into is getting the tool boxes off on the bottom side of the loco, they seem to be glued in place(?), however, the screws that hold the cab in place are underneath them…

Vinnie, don’t force it, just get a bigger hammer.

Hmmm… I do have a nice new hammer that could do the job…

#11

Vinny,

If you can’t figure out how to remove the tool boxes, ask Penny to show you. :wink:

#12

I brushed painted mine with acrylic paint. I was going to take it apart and spray paint but was too lazy to take it apart. I also detailed mine by adding more piping, tank etc…
I cant wait to see how you do yours. I like to warm the pieces up that are being painted with a hair dryer. After spraying I use a hair dryer to help dry the paint. Warming the spray cane helps as well. I have good luck doing this way. I have used all different brands of paint.
(http://oi56.tinypic.com/16aeh3a.jpg)

(http://oi51.tinypic.com/24odftc.jpg)

#13

I don’t know if mine will be anything worth looking at as my modeling skills are very limited and this is my first attempt, but hell, I can always buy more paint if I mess it up!.
I did a separate post looking for headlight idea’s here:http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/21482/new-headlight-ideas-hartland-bi
I should of just combined the posts, but I wasn’t sure anyone would see me asking for suggestions on a different headlight.