Final leaf mulching done plus a few other daughter stuff done so back to trains.
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Air brush painting.
Last year I picked up some nice logging cars that need painting.
Normally, I, completely, dismantle the engine before painting it. In this case, they are only some logging cars and the previous owner glued the Kadee coupler pockets in so I'm leaving the couplers on and hope the paint don't foul up the knuckles. Also, some of the trucks are white cast metal so I'm painting them with the wheels sets since the trucks don't have screws to disassemble them. Some trucks are in parts so I'll CA them together after they are painted.
First step to clean all parts. A turkey pan, liquid dish washing soap and some vinegar are my choices. A toothbrush is used to scrub them.
I'm also painted some 8 wheel tender trucks that are a 'back up' to an engine. I masked off the treads on the 8 wheel trucks. No masking on the logging trucks as they won't be picking up electricity plus they are only plastic and I'll probably have to replace them, anyway! The wheels set would, normally, be removed.
Everything is usually baked in my toaster over for 2 hours at 200 degrees. Since plastic parts are involved, this step is eliminated. Also, I never bake wheel sets for fear of damaging the insulated side.
My detached shop is where all painting is done; keeps all the nasty fumes out of the house. If done in the house, a paint booth with exhaust to the outside is mandatory.
Been using this Binks since the 70's. I like single action air brushes as I'm not coordinated enough to use dual action ones! An air filter and pressure regulator is needed.
The shop air compressor...
but a small air compressor will do. A compressor with a tank is nice as the compressor is not running all the time and, I think, the air pressure is more consistent with a tank.
Heat needed during the winter.
Safety stuff.
I'm partial to Scalecoat enamel paint. Have painted hundreds of engines with it. Being enamel, reducer is used to dilute 30-50%, depending on type of paint: ie silver, etc.
Usually, I 'shoot' two coats but will see how coverage looks, since these are only logging cars. Usually need two coats as there always seems to be one spot that I miss. Corners and edges done first and then an overall spray of the large areas. Always best to use light coats versus a heavy coat of paint: much easier to add more than remove 'runs'. Since I can't bake them, I'll let them 'cook' overnight.