Being a model railroader for some 30 plus years I have always used enamel or lacquer paints, mainly Scale Coat, or Floquil. These paint companies have gone out of business in the past years, mainly due to EPA rules and regulations. Water base paints for models is pretty much junk and just don’t give the finish I want on my models. Today I still spray many of my models with enamel/lacquer paints and use an airbrush, but these paints are getting harder to find as the EPA is also having Testors and other paint manufactures due away with these paints. One paint I have been using is the Model Masters by Testors in the spray can, sold at Hobby Lobby and hobby shop, sells for around $6.00 per can, these paint spray very well and one can is enough for one engine, or rolling stock. I also use the paint sold at auto parts stores, but most colors are going to be colors for autos, these paints do also spray very well out of the can. I’m also using the Krylon from Home Depot, the cheap stuff, not the higher price cans for outside use, or special use, remember were painting plastic train engines here, not outdoor furniture, I do use the Krylon primers with good results. I would like to say one thing here, I feel many are painting their engine, etc. wrong when it comes to coats of paint, I usually primer my engines, parts, etc. to be painted, but not always is primer needed, many times I paint right on the plastic parts, yes you should test the paint on another plastic part, or on an underside and make sure it will not craze the plastic. Next I do tape off each color to be painted, this way I’m not adding too much paint to the model, too much paint is just looking for a cracking, or crazing problem, plus too much paint hides detail. Last I would like to say about coats of paint, what’s with paint one day with first coats and then a second day with more paint, do you think you get a better job, no you just get more build up with paint that is not need, there are models, not your patio chairs. Here is how I apply paint, I spray a light cover coat on the model and let set for a minute or two, look at how it covered, yes it will have thin sports, I now apply the second coat, a little wetter then the first coat, let it set for another two, or three minutes and look at the model in sunlight, I do paint outside most of the time on non winds days. At this point I am either happy with the coverage, or it gets another coat, most of the time I have got it covered in two coats. If your waiting for the first coat to dry and then repainting, your just adding paint that is not needed and covering up detail, I can tell you, more paint is not better. This way all my coats of paint are drying all at one time and the paint shrinks as it would in one drying coat. I don’t know everything about painting models, but painting model for 30 plus years I got a pretty good idea of what works and how to get the best job I can and having to redue a paint job is no fun. I’m a retired body shop mgr. for a large DFW auto dealer and after 35 at one dealership I have a good idea on painting. Remember, paint is an art and you learn from experience, if I cab answer any question, I would be glad to help with your painting needs.
trainman
