Post by antoniofp45 on Mar 29, 2013 17:42:05 GMT -5
Hi guys,
I've been receiving comments on the increasing interest that passenger rail modelers have on Alclad2.
Some of you likely remember this from a thread on the old Atlas Forum, but I thought that this would be appropriate here since this is a unit that was originally in the Amtrak scheme but has been metalized and decaled into Santa Fe, a western road:
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The emphasis here is to show what can be done with inexpensive older run, sparsely detailed passenger cars that still have potential. This car belongs to my wife's cousin, a BNSF modeler. He graciously allowed me to experiment with it. I didn't weather it so that he could custom weather the finish and underframe to his preferred appearance after I return it to him.
Steps are identical as in my Alclad "Step by Step" threads that I've posted on several forums. Although for the basecoat foundation color I prefer grays that resemble NYC Dk. Gray, I applied NYC Light Gray as the reddish tone will make the finish more closely resemble the tones on some of BNSF's office car units.
Subject: Bachmann HO Amtrak Full Length Dome unit, late 1980s run.
Goal: to metalize and decal to Santa Fe scheme with well maintained appearance.
Shell removed, paint stripping process with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol.
Shell washed with warm water & gentle soap and dried. Interior windows masked off. Basecoat color applied.
Basecoat is applied medium-wet. Note: I always emphasize that the airbrush tip be parallel to the item being sprayed, but in shooting the photo with my free hand, I did turn the airbrush on this first pass.
Result after Applying Alclad 107, before toning down with clear coat.
Interior: I brushed painted the upper and lower deck seating only. Left the floor as is. Stock Bachmann seats are "undersized" from factory.
NEW STEP: For the first time, I tried Alclad #408 "Armored Glass" to simulate the green tint on the windows. I tested a couple of transparent scrap pieces. I then airbrushed the tint on the "inside" of the one-piece window sections (upper and lower). When I first applied the tint to the lower piece, it hazed up. However, it leveled out nicely with a 2nd coat. After I sent an email, Mr. Hipp from Alclad, explained to me that in humid conditions the tints can blush. So I'll keep this in mind for future projects. I wish I had applied additional coats to darken the glass more as this tint looks good! The photos from this camera doesn't do it justice. Overall, I like it and plan on using this tint on my Walthers cars.
OUTDOOR PHOTOS: (no flash) Both shells after clear coat with Aqua #600 waterbased clear. Both will be toned down more after decals are installed and sealed with additional coat:
PROTOTYPE PHOTOS
This prototype photo by Aeromoe
INDOOR PHOTOS (Camera flash turned off)
SAFETY: While I often paint strip cars dipped in rubbing alcohol with my bare hands and a toothbrush, I can't emphasize enough that you should wear gloves and a proper respirator when mixing paint chemicals and spraying them. Have fun, but take care of yourself too!
I've been receiving comments on the increasing interest that passenger rail modelers have on Alclad2.
Some of you likely remember this from a thread on the old Atlas Forum, but I thought that this would be appropriate here since this is a unit that was originally in the Amtrak scheme but has been metalized and decaled into Santa Fe, a western road:
----------------------------------
The emphasis here is to show what can be done with inexpensive older run, sparsely detailed passenger cars that still have potential. This car belongs to my wife's cousin, a BNSF modeler. He graciously allowed me to experiment with it. I didn't weather it so that he could custom weather the finish and underframe to his preferred appearance after I return it to him.
Steps are identical as in my Alclad "Step by Step" threads that I've posted on several forums. Although for the basecoat foundation color I prefer grays that resemble NYC Dk. Gray, I applied NYC Light Gray as the reddish tone will make the finish more closely resemble the tones on some of BNSF's office car units.
Subject: Bachmann HO Amtrak Full Length Dome unit, late 1980s run.
Goal: to metalize and decal to Santa Fe scheme with well maintained appearance.
Shell removed, paint stripping process with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol.
Shell washed with warm water & gentle soap and dried. Interior windows masked off. Basecoat color applied.
Basecoat is applied medium-wet. Note: I always emphasize that the airbrush tip be parallel to the item being sprayed, but in shooting the photo with my free hand, I did turn the airbrush on this first pass.
Result after Applying Alclad 107, before toning down with clear coat.
Interior: I brushed painted the upper and lower deck seating only. Left the floor as is. Stock Bachmann seats are "undersized" from factory.
NEW STEP: For the first time, I tried Alclad #408 "Armored Glass" to simulate the green tint on the windows. I tested a couple of transparent scrap pieces. I then airbrushed the tint on the "inside" of the one-piece window sections (upper and lower). When I first applied the tint to the lower piece, it hazed up. However, it leveled out nicely with a 2nd coat. After I sent an email, Mr. Hipp from Alclad, explained to me that in humid conditions the tints can blush. So I'll keep this in mind for future projects. I wish I had applied additional coats to darken the glass more as this tint looks good! The photos from this camera doesn't do it justice. Overall, I like it and plan on using this tint on my Walthers cars.
OUTDOOR PHOTOS: (no flash) Both shells after clear coat with Aqua #600 waterbased clear. Both will be toned down more after decals are installed and sealed with additional coat:
PROTOTYPE PHOTOS
This prototype photo by Aeromoe
INDOOR PHOTOS (Camera flash turned off)
SAFETY: While I often paint strip cars dipped in rubbing alcohol with my bare hands and a toothbrush, I can't emphasize enough that you should wear gloves and a proper respirator when mixing paint chemicals and spraying them. Have fun, but take care of yourself too!
