3R WHEEL RIM PAINTING?

I am not familiar with this engine but do those brakes work like disk brakes on the sides of the wheel vs the tires?

If so I would file or sand the blackening off just like the prototype.

Best remove the trucks to do this. 

Pete

You beat me to it Pete, I was just looking at the model, the disc is modeled on the wheels, I agree with you....they could easily be polished down with super fine grit paper and then polished to a sheen with something like mother’s metal polish, or black diamond metal polish....using paper like 800 or 1000 grit, one could even carefully mimic the grooves left by the pads on the disc.........Pat

I would use a silver paint marker.   Put model on side on soft cloth.  Apply voltage to motor so wheels spin slowly.   Touch marker to wheel as it slowly spins.   Then repeat for other side.   You can make adjustments with black paint (or permanent) marker if necessary.   John A

Good evening again:

Thank you for the suggestions; both ideas sound intriguing.  I might be more inclined to the former as it is 'natural'.  I do not have such fine sand paper, but I can get a hold of some tomorrow.  I will let you know how the experiment turns out.

If it works, that will be quite a chore pulling the trucks off all the units.  Darn my rivet counting...

OK, so an idea came to mind, and I had to try it.  I used Norton / HarmonYard's idea of sanding, but I took it to the next level.  I used a Dremel (fine stone), and then hit it with 120 grit sand paper I had in the shop.  Not quite what was suggested, but it was a test.  You guys be the judge, but I love it.  It is total natural and prototypical, and will look great under the body.  I can't believe I didn't think of this.

Again, it is only a proof of concept; the real deal will be a bit more refined, such that the finish has a 'sheen' if you will, rather than the rougher look here.  But thank you again for the ideas. 

Thats the idea Nate. Look at the disks on you car. The sheen should be about the same. 600-800 grit carbide paper should be close.

Pete

Norton posted:

Thats the idea Nate. Look at the disks on you car. The sheen should be about the same. 600-800 grit carbide paper should be close.

Pete

You guys are geniuses.  I've spent the last day or so trying to find paint I thought might match.  Derp on me. 

Pantenary posted:

OK, so an idea came to mind, and I had to try it.  I used Norton / HarmonYard's idea of sanding, but I took it to the next level.  I used a Dremel (fine stone), and then hit it with 120 grit sand paper I had in the shop.  Not quite what was suggested, but it was a test.  You guys be the judge, but I love it.  It is total natural and prototypical, and will look great under the body.  I can't believe I didn't think of this.

Again, it is only a proof of concept; the real deal will be a bit more refined, such that the finish has a 'sheen' if you will, rather than the rougher look here.  But thank you again for the ideas. 

 Very convincing Nate, sanding left the black in the disc mounting holes as per the real deal....let’s see her with a side frame back on.....that’ll be the tell tale that your  on the right path....looking good!.....Pat

Pat & Pete: 

Indeed, preserving those holes was a required parameter.  I am very pleased.  This truck is off of a scrapped unit, and I am done with it.  On to the revenue units.

Regarding the polish, you (Pat) suggested Mother's.  Are we talking the liquid in the bottle, or some actual goop waxing compound?  I am not one to pinch pennies with details, but that stuff is rather salty, any economical alternatives?  I will use it if that is the best option, but I thought I'd ask since you have the good ideas tonight. 

Pantenary posted:

Pat & Pete: 

Indeed, preserving those holes was a required parameter.  I am very pleased.  This truck is off of a scrapped unit, and I am done with it.  On to the revenue units.

Regarding the polish, you (Pat) suggested Mother's.  Are we talking the liquid in the bottle, or some actual goop waxing compound?  I am not one to pinch pennies with details, but that stuff is rather salty, any economical alternatives?  I will use it if that is the best option, but I thought I'd ask since you have the good ideas tonight. 

Real disc brakes as they wear, almost take on a mirror like finish when you look at them up close and personal. (I’m a diesel mechanic for many many moons now) ....my thought on the polish was to preserve whatever finish you did by sanding......depending where you keep/store your trains, over time the spots you sanded could possibly turn or tarnish back? maybe, maybe not...the polish would give you that mirrored look, and help preserve it...it’s only a suggestion, and heck your doing great!.....Pat

You can get blue magic, I’m sorry I called in blue diamond by accident, metal polish paste at just about any auto parts store for like 6 or 7 bucks....l keep it handy to polish up rods and valve gear and crank bolts on postwar equipment as needed.....small jar has lasted years for me.........Pat

Just looked on Amazon, blue magic metal polish cream, 6.97 a jar........Pat

Blue magic it is, and a little tub is on its way.  It was a great suggestion.  I am not sure if it will tarnish again either, but once it gets done once, subsequent polishes will not be a big deal.  You can remove the side frame on MTH AEM7s without removing the shell.  I would remove the shell for the initial sanding/polishing of course, but afterward the maintenance would be easy.  Thanks again; I love it when a plan comes together.

harmonyards posted:

Pantenary posted:

Pat & Pete: 

Indeed, preserving those holes was a required parameter.  I am very pleased.  This truck is off of a scrapped unit, and I am done with it.  On to the revenue units.

Regarding the polish, you (Pat) suggested Mother's.  Are we talking the liquid in the bottle, or some actual goop waxing compound?  I am not one to pinch pennies with details, but that stuff is rather salty, any economical alternatives?  I will use it if that is the best option, but I thought I'd ask since you have the good ideas tonight. 

Real disc brakes as they wear, almost take on a mirror like finish when you look at them up close and personal. (I’m a diesel mechanic for many many moons now) ....my thought on the polish was to preserve whatever finish you did by sanding......depending where you keep/store your trains, over time the spots you sanded could possibly turn or tarnish back? maybe, maybe not...the polish would give you that mirrored look, and help preserve it...it’s only a suggestion, and heck your doing great!.....Pat

And you are definitely correct.  Many AEM7 photos, especially in the last few years prior to retirement, the sheen of those brake discs is brilliant.  I have been detailing my motors pretty heavily lately (painting parts prototypically, adding some roof components, etc), and the brake disc idea came to me a few days ago.

Pantenary posted:

harmonyards posted:

Pantenary posted:

Pat & Pete: 

Indeed, preserving those holes was a required parameter.  I am very pleased.  This truck is off of a scrapped unit, and I am done with it.  On to the revenue units.

Regarding the polish, you (Pat) suggested Mother's.  Are we talking the liquid in the bottle, or some actual goop waxing compound?  I am not one to pinch pennies with details, but that stuff is rather salty, any economical alternatives?  I will use it if that is the best option, but I thought I'd ask since you have the good ideas tonight. 

Real disc brakes as they wear, almost take on a mirror like finish when you look at them up close and personal. (I’m a diesel mechanic for many many moons now) ....my thought on the polish was to preserve whatever finish you did by sanding......depending where you keep/store your trains, over time the spots you sanded could possibly turn or tarnish back? maybe, maybe not...the polish would give you that mirrored look, and help preserve it...it’s only a suggestion, and heck your doing great!.....Pat

And you are definitely correct.  Many AEM7 photos, especially in the last few years prior to retirement, the sheen of those brake discs is brilliant.  I have been detailing my motors pretty heavily lately (painting parts prototypically, adding some roof components, etc), and the brake disc idea came to me a few days ago.

The more vigorously you rub the polish, the more shine you will achieve, I’d use a a fine cloth, like an old piece of tee shirt, or something along those lines, so I could concentrate on only polishing up the disc itself. You might experiment using a Q-tip and apply very sparingly...use a tooth brush to remove polish that gets in the bolt holes.....careful not to accidentally polish the center hub, as I’m guessing you really want that to stay black.....if you never used this type of polish, experiment on something you don’t mind messing up, like your dead truck.....perfect your technique before attempting on your revenue equipment.........good luck....fun project!.....enjoy!...............Pat

One more tip on the polish, then I’m off to bed, you apply the polish with a rag, using a little force, then use a separate clean rag to bring out luster....the first rag should be turning black, that means the polish is working....again, test on something other than the perfect model first to achieve the sheen/shine you want to see.........Pat

harmonyards posted:

One more tip on the polish, then I’m off to bed, you apply the polish with a rag, using a little force, then use a separate clean rag to bring out luster....the first rag should be turning black, that means the polish is working....again, test on something other than the perfect model first to achieve the sheen/shine you want to see.........Pat

Good deal, Pat.  Thanks again.  I am eager to give it a shot.  Sleep well.

Good afternoon:

Below is the first shot of a production model.  I am in the midst of detailing my AEM7s in numerous ways, but I think this is one my favorites.  The Dremel/sanding idea worked great.  The polish, not so much. It filled in the holes on the test set and made more of a mess (I thought) then it was worth.  I might be a bit if a rivet counter, but I am not included to pull every axle off of all my AEM7s to polish the wheels properly. 

I also stripped the paint off the side frames and painted it (by hand of course) Model Master Flat Black enamel, followed by Model Master 'Engine Black' acrylic.

Some better pictures to come once they leave the shop for good, but I was eager to share an initial result.  Thanks again.

This thread made me go look at my Atlas AEM7s, neither the O nor the HO have the brake pads polished.

PRRMP54 posted:

This thread made me go look at my Atlas AEM7s, neither the O nor the HO have the brake pads polished.

One would think that, since the Brake Pads actually "polish" the brake discs, that any and all models should have that area of the wheels, i.e. the brake discs, POLISHED (or at least painted to LOOK like they are polished)!

The Atlas O 2R AEM7/ALP44s get it closer, as you might imagine.

However, you still do not have the contrast between dirty wheels and the shiny brake shoes.  That is a fairly subtle detail, except fore those of us who love and model these motors.  I am not surprised they left it out.  I have remedied that issue with mine.  Dremel the primary blackening, and finish with fine sand paper.  It gets pretty close.