Finally we have a singular, definitive, absolute, answer to that eternal question, What is the correct rust color for painting your rails?
The Answer Is: That one…
Brown ?
I used real rust…
See below.
For use outside I use a mix of Rustoleum rusty metal primer (which to my eye is too red to be used alone) and mix in Rustoleum yellow til it looks good to my eye. It comes very close to matching Floquil rail brown which I used when I worked in HO.
What is interesting about rust is there is not definitive color. Rust varies with several different factors. The age of the rust will change it’s color. The alloy of the steel (all rail is not necessarily of the same alloy) will affect the color. The weather conditions and location (ie inland away from water, near a lake, or salt water) will affect the color. Acid rain will affect the color. So in my opinion, the color that looks right to your eye, is the right color.
I agree Bob, and I think the photo Forrest linked to says the same thing. Even the inside and outside rails of the same track in the same location can vary in color.
Me; I’m basically too lazy to mix up that perfect color. I use a Red Oxide or Ruddy Brown spray can primer to get a solid color then mist with a semi-gloss or flat black to darken the red and suggest some staining from grease & oil…
Far from perfect, but easy and looks a boatload better than the shiny stainless or aluminum rail I use. Looking around the railroad this spring, I think I may have to do this again. It’s been almost 15 years!
John Caughey said:
I used real rust…
It continues to age and change color with the weather.
While not as easy as paint, I like it.
John Caughey said:
John Caughey said:
I used real rust…
It continues to age and change color with the weather.
While not as easy as paint, I like it.
I like it too! If I had the time and the patience I’d use that method too. Not sure how well it would hold up in a wet climate though. I’ve used the rust solution on my concrete walkway crossing several times and it fades away in less than 6 months. Your method is a little more involved than my attempt at just slopping on some solution with a paint brush.
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/694643/
Which color? I count at least 12 different colors of rust in this photo. (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Steve Featherkile said:
Which color? I count at least 12 different colors of rust in this photo. (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Exactly.
Yeah, I get it. . .that one. The “one” where one can of spray paint shoots a hundred variations of a basic color? Isn’t that like the weatherers mythical unicorn. lol
There might be one more factor to mention here. The color and darkness/lightness of the ties very much affects how the appearance of the rusted rail. Gary’s and Jon Radder’s black ties create a much different effect than if they were light grey, no better or worse, just very different. John Caughey’s rusted rails (brilliant method by the way, just brilliant, and so well done) are nearly the same color and value as the ties, which creates an entirely different look.
Jon brings up a point that I butt heads with all the time: how much time and effort do you want to spend on what part of the railroad? Take a look at these tracks:
Holy Smokes. Now this guy cuts and planes his own ties out of branches and tree parts. Seriously. I’m not kidding, I’ve seen the youtube deal. Then he weathers them to his own idea of perfection, which looks hard to argue with!, then he hand weathers each individual tie plate, spikes them one by one and weathers the rail to taste. Then the perfect size ballast.
I believe there isn’t hardly one single guy on LSC who couldn’t do this if he put his mind to it; we all have more than enough skill. The question is always what Jon suggests: how much time do you really want to spend on what?
Nathrop, CO on the Rio Grande mainline, 11-30-05:
Cheers,
Matt