Need advice on bridge colors.

Seacoast, I used Lowes KRYLON Matte Spanish Moss, I painted K-Line bridges that were silver primed with a rust color auto primer from a auto store. The first bridge I used auto primer then after drying put water and salt in areas that were suppose to show up as rust, after the salt dried I then used the Moss after drying I wiped away the salt that the rust color showed up to give it a rusting look. Worked out pretty good, better than looking at the silver hope that helps. Good Luck Mark

This bridge is Moss without adding the salt

Salt added after primer dried, painted moss then after drying wiped salt away to give the look of rusting.

Girder with a rust/brown car primer

Hi George!  I’m currently painting plastic bridges and girders as well.  I went with rust, since my prototypes are just rust.

I used rust-oleum black then flat red primer and I think it looks very good.  I can add more complexity later with dry pigments and faded American Bridge Company lettering on the girders

photo of actual Grand River bridge

What a timely topic. I have two bridges that I am currently weathering. One is the Atlas Pratt bridge and the other is a Menard's bridge. After considering different weathering options, I finally decided on Modern Masters rust paint. It is paint that contains actual iron particles that once sprayed with the activator actually produces real rust.

Here is the finished Menard's bridge.

Once it is sealed with the sealer it tones down the bright orange areas. I didn't take a picture with the sealer in place yet. I found this to be a great product.

Nice work Joe, those look really good. What length is the Menards bridge, 24", 18"?

Rod

@Rod Stewart This bridge is 24" in length.

https://ogrforum.com/member/njcjoe Nice bridge. Does Menards make an 18"? I have an old Lionel pressed steel 18" bridge which doesn't work well with some of the newer scale cars, double stacks etc. That Menards looks like it would work.

Rod

I don't believe Menard's has an 18" truss bridge.

Here are some close ups of the bridges with the HDR setting on my camera turned off. The HDR was making the orange color more orange than it actual is.

Joe, very nice. Really like that rusty look, you have landed on a great method to create that!
Rod

@Hannibal-St Joseph RR posted:

Hi George!  I’m currently painting plastic bridges and girders as well.  I went with rust, since my prototypes are just rust.

I used rust-oleum black then flat red primer and I think it looks very good.  I can add more complexity later with dry pigments and faded American Bridge Company lettering on the girders

photo of actual Grand River bridge

Hi guys ! Thanks for all the suggestions I ended buying Oregon dot green bridge spray paint from  LVP Paintand powder in Dallas Texas :thanks for all the great suggestions! I know rr bridges are black or rusty but I just wanted a green one.

thanks,

george

		QTY	PRICE
	Federal Standard 24272 MIL-P-24441 Primer - FEDSTD595 - Touch Up Paint - 12 Oz Aerosol Can

		QTY	PRICE