Painting masks for ICC passenger car kits

I'm not clear here on what “masks” for a ICC clear car sides would look like? Can you be more specific?

Are you proposing a set of stencils (four to a car plan) to block out the window layout? (would require a fixed back wire for spacing) 

Or are you proposing pre-painted, cut overlays that would eliminate the painting requirement for the sides entirely? I would be nice if we had options to do additional PS/ACF plans to augment the four types ICC (Vane Jones) did, like the full diner to match the Kitchen Lounge, baggage dorm, 22 rmte, a 4-4-2 etc

Comparatively, as is I find ICC exterior pretty easy to mask and paint using the specified white glue method, I prefer doing the interiors using appropriately cut thin colored paper instead of painting them.

I have used the thin white glue method to mask the windows and then painted the interior color first from the outside, when dry I paint the exterior color. Just a suggestion for your consideration. It works good enough for me. The first layer of interior color shows through the clear plastic side. No paint on back interior side at all. 

Leon

I am talking about pre cut masks that you could peel off a sheet and stick on the windows, paint the car and then peel them off.   I'm thinking about a sheet with a lot of the larger standard windows with some of the smaller windows included.  You could mask them inside and out.

I have used peel off address labels on clear sides to model modernized pass cars. Sometimes you have to cut a single label in half in and overlap to get correct length. Your idea is a good one by having all the mask the correct size for the standard sealed window sizes.

I will be interested in your solution.

Leon

I think he was asking about a potential market.

First step: how many modelers plan on building these cars in the future?

Second: of those, how many would rather mask than white glue?

And finally - is ten bucks per set too much?

Obviously, if there are hundreds of these just ready for masks, the cost will be lower.  My impression is that the ICC cars have largely been supplanted by K-Line and Sunset.  Prove me wrong and give Ken some encouragement.

bob2 posted:

I think he was asking about a potential market.

First step: how many modelers plan on building these cars in the future?

Might also wonder about how many of these kits (total number) are actually available to be built.

OK got it, using adhesive masks on the windows instead of the white glue method, I'd be good with that though Bob raises some good points. I do like Leon's use of commercially available adhesive labels to mask windows too, if we could get some that were pre-cut to match the various specific size(s) for 1:48 car windows that would be great. I would buy those if they weren't too "dear." 

I considered using clear plastic sheet to cut some Pullman Standard/St. Louis car bi-level sides myself to make scale length car bodies using the old Holgate and Reynolds castings, using adhesive labels to mask the windows is something I had not considered and certainly makes this seem I like a more practical project. Thanks for ideas guys!

I'm not trying to make a profit but if there were only 4 different kits, and I think I have multiples of each, I should be able to come up with a solution.  If I get that then anybody that wants to get some should lower my cost which is a win-win situation for people still build.  The kits keep showing up on ebay.

I've seen the ICC kits for sale on ebay but never figured out what cars they were based on or their interior configurations. What cars did they offer?

Ken

They're based on four different post-war Pullman-Standard plans for the NYC; a 10 Roomette-6  Bedroom, 12 Bedroom, Kitchen-Lounge and a coach. He catalogued a Baggage (I assume the 70' ACF) a Combine and Parlor Car as well, but those never got done. I've read that he also intended to do the full length diner and an observation car (likely a Creek series) put sadly he passed away before any of that reached fruition 

a) Perhaps you could set up a joint hobby with the better half, using a scrapbooking die-cutting machine. You would need to make your own dies for each window.

b) The kits sell, sometimes, on eBay, for quite reasonable prices. The carcass (roof, floor, ends) can be built up to accept the sides from Union Station https://unionstationproducts.com/

Delta Models extensive parts will work well also.

Purplepapa posted:

I have used the thin white glue method to mask the windows and then painted the interior color first from the outside, when dry I paint the exterior color. Just a suggestion for your consideration. It works good enough for me. The first layer of interior color shows through the clear plastic side. No paint on back interior side at all. 

Leon

This is the best "tip" I've heard in years.  Thank you, Leon.

With best regards, SZ

Micromark has the cameo silhouette cutting tool easily programmed to the 2 window sizes and use label paper . Might be a posibility

Some nice ingenious solutions.

Thanks,

Ken

Always glad to share and glad to know someone  appreciates it. 

Thanks sz,

Leon