So on my ATSF SuperChief Observation and on my Warbonnet diesels I'd like to paint the couplers silver or at least apply something to make them silver without making them non-functional. What is best used?
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Technically, they should be rust colored as couplers aren't painted (wouldn't last anyway, but paint can hide defects). Kadee offered/offers the 800 series plastic couplers in rust colored. That said, you need to use a fine brush to stipple the paint on and keep the paint out of the moving parts. Also note that coupling the cars will scrape the paint.
It causes more problems that it's worth. Either the paint is scraped off by coupling them together and the slack from running trains, or the paint makes them sticky and non-operable. I used to paint and weather the couplers on all my weathered cars but no longer do it....tired of hassling with them.
If you are just going to run trains, you could paint them silver and fuss with the knuckle when it gets stuck open and your train comes apart. If you are going to do any switching (uncoupling) then I wouldn't paint them at all.
It might be worth experimenting on one coupler...
- apply a liberal dose of Kadee Greas-em dry lubricant to the moving parts
- remove all visible Greas-em
- apply light coats of Testors Metalizer paint and let dry thoroughly (read and follow the directions on the Metalizer paint for best results)
- apply Greas-em to the moving parts and verify the coupler is working properly
The ATSF kept them nice:
I would only do this to the front F3 and the rear coupler of the obs on the end of the train.
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Originally Posted by Trevize:
The ATSF kept them nice:
I would only do this to the front F3 and the rear coupler of the obs on the end of the train.
EXACTLY!
Originally Posted by Trevize:
The ATSF kept them nice:
I would only do this to the front F3 and the rear coupler of the obs on the end of the train.
I never understood how the Santa Fe was able to get away with their painting their couplers silver. They must have had VERY FORGIVING Federal Inspectors, back in the day.
At any rate it sure looks great, and if I modeled the Sant Fe, I would sure paint the front & rear couplers with Scalecoat "Aluminum". But, being careful to NOT get any paint into the pivot/moving portion of the Kadee coupler. At least that's how I weather my Kadee couplers now.
I don't understand that either because that is a major No No
On cars that are to be switched, I file the face of the coupler smooth so that two couplers can slide past each other to couple. On other cars, I paint some, some not, depending on how fast I want to get it on the RR.
Ed
Originally Posted by Laidoffsick:
I don't understand that either because that is a major No No
Maybe now, but back then?
Seems the Burlington used to paint their couplers silver, also:
Rusty
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I painted mine using spray camo and I have no issues with any moving part.
Andre.
