Library - "Painting & Weathering" Magazine Articles

Category Description: Information about painting and weathering models.

ABC's of Painting and Lettering

Model Railroader 2002-10 pg. 90     Scale: (none)     Author: David Popp

Prepare before buying, preparation and priming, couplers and trucks, using spray cans, airbrushing passenger cars, airbrushing cabooses, apply decals.

Achieve Realistic Colors under Artificial Lighting

Model Railroader 2010-12 pg. 52     Scale:      Author: Bob Chapman

How to apply paint to model so that they come out looking right under the actual light of the layout. Includes a side-bar on valance lighting.

Ask Paint Shop

Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 146     Scale: (none)     Author: Marty McGuirk

Chateau Martin wine cars. CB&Q Blackbirds. Tips on creating a applying decals can.

Ask Paint Shop

Model Railroader 1999-12 pg. 162     Scale: HO     Author: Marty McGuirk

Jim Hediger used reflective tape to model accurate reflective safety stripes on his S4 switcher. Also covered is how to remove tarnish from brass models.

Canton RR State-flag Switcher in HO Scale

Model Railroader 1990-05 pg. 132     Scale: HO     Author: Ed David

The author painted a SW1500 in the livery that uses the state flag.

Creating a Paint Scheme for a Freelanced Railroad

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-02 pg. 81     Scale: HO     Author: Don Spiro

Although building a freelanced model may seem easy, this article describes the author's issues he had to deal with trying to develop a realistic paint scheme for his engines. Several photos of unique prototype paint schemes (that influenced the author) are included.

Custom Models for Everyday Modelers

N Scale Railroading 2003-11/12 pg. 42     Scale: (none)     Author: Paul Machiaverna

A complete how-to on custom painting models without using a spray-paint brush.

Fading Posters in Minutes

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-12 pg. 86     Scale:      Author: Charles Montgomery

The author describes how to model faded posters for billboards and for the sides of buildings.

Getting Started (painting)

Model Railroader 1989-09 pg. 110     Scale: (none)     Author: Anthony R. Curtis

This short article provides some tips and tricks to beginning model painters.

Notes on Airbrushing

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-10 pg. 68     Scale:      Author: Kenneth Chick

Covers which airbrushes are available, the advantages of using a CO2 tank, using a paint booth, ventilation, cleaning the airbrush, and preparing the paint and model for painting.

Paint Like an Expert

Model Railroader 2005-02 pg. 86     Scale: (none)     Author: Kathleen Renninger

The article covers the tools the author uses (such as masking tape, sculpting tools, and a paint bottle holder), painting the truck frames silver, cleaning solution, and tools used for applying decals.applying decals

Paint Shop

Model Railroader 1978-11 pg. 118     Scale: HO     Author: Jim Hediger

This issue's column discusses how the author painted a SCL GP38 using the "Family Lines System" logo on a three-color paint scheme.

Painting Metal Castings

Model Railroader 2002-09 pg. 30     Scale: (none)     Author: Jim Hediger

Overcoming problems with paint not adhering to metal surfaces.

Red-orange and White on "The Peoria Way"

Model Railroader 1989-09 pg. 120     Scale: HO     Author: Andy Sperandeo

Modifying and painting models of the Toledo, Peoria & Western GP38-2 diesels.

Salt Weathering a Tin Roof

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-10 pg. 51     Scale: HO     Author: Trevor Marshall

The author shows how he was able to simulate a tin roof on a boxcar. The trick is to use sea salt for the effect.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle Yellow and Green

Model Railroader 1988-03 pg. 107     Scale: HO     Author: Andy Sperandeo

Painting an RS-3. Includes prototype and model photos.

Wabash "Bluebird" F7s

Model Railroader 1987-12 pg. 188     Scale: (none)     Author: Andy Sperandeo

Includes prototype photos, scale drawings (for painting purposes), and paint mixture descriptions for painting these models.

Weather While You Build

Model Railroader 2006-03 pg. 94     Scale: (none)     Author: Erik Bergstrom

The author shows various techniques for weathering a freight car model while building it, because some areas are hard to reach once the model is fully built.

Weathering Freight Cars With an Airbrush and Colored Pencil

1:64 Modeling Guide 2008 Fall pg. 16     Scale: S     Author: Bill Beverly

This article describes the complete steps the author takes to weather his freight cars. It covers the tools and supplies he uses and recommends. After discussing a few sources to use for prototype reference photos, the remainder of this article describes his steps.

Weathering Rolling Stock With Powered Pastels

Model Railroader 2010-04 pg. 38     Scale:      Author: Jeff Wilson

Shows how to apply chalks to weather freight cars and locomotives.

Weathering Techniques for Realistic Results

Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 70     Scale: G     Author: Burl Rice

The author shows various techniques for weathering a tank car, a covered hopper, a boxcar, and a flat car. Specifically of interest is the effective rust streaks, which are covered in a step-by-step photo montage. The flat car has the plastic boards look like old wooden boards.

Weathering Your Diesels

Model Railroader 2003-11 pg. 66     Scale: any     Author: Terry Thompson

This article covers how to weather an engine's wheels, sideframes, frames, tanks, bearing plates, pilots, body sides and ends, footboards, steps, walkways, doors, and roof. Includes a sidebar on airbrushing tips. Includes close-up of model and prototype photos.

Weathering Your Structures

Model Railroader 2003-11 pg. 72     Scale: any     Author: Steve Harris

This article covers how to weather using alcohol-based stains, using powered pastels, using pastel pencils, dry-brushing, scratching paint layers back, etched corrugated roofing, and using correction film paint. A sidebar describes how the author's B&O depot was weathered.

Zip Texturing Weathering Powders

Model Railroad Hobbyist 2010-11/12 pg. 93     Scale:      Author: Joe Fugate

Using the zip texturing method to apply weathering powders to scenery, track, engines, rolling stock. river banks, and dirt areas.