Painting undecorated Atlas pieces-what paint?

I don't know what other companies are on the market, besides Testors', who bought up Flo-Quil and Poly Scale, but there's Weaver Models who sell and use Scale Coat, I believe it's their own brand?

Ralph

After I discovered Tru-color paints I swore off ever using any other brand unless I cannot get it from Tru-color. The stuff flows on very nicely and actually is dry enough to sand or tape off again for another color in 30 minutes! For old Lionel I like Hennings paint.

Rob

Hard to go wrong, given that skill and technique is more important than paint, but I always seemed to have good results with Tamiya paints.

I agree that Tamiya paint is the best you can find in the can but they do not make RR colors.

I have painted the older Atlas cars with several types of paint all with good results.  I did find some of the cars still had mold release on them so you need to clean them with a good soap and water bath, rinse them really well and wipe them off with 91% isopropyl alcohol.  I had two plug door boxcars that paint just bounced off of until I did this.  It was one of the strangest things I'd ever seen.

These Atlas custom paints were done with Testors Polyscale paints.

http://s175.photobucket.com/us...ontour%20SW9s?sort=3

http://s175.photobucket.com/us...20Line%20SW9s?sort=6

I prep plastic by washing the body with soap and water, air dry.

I then use duplicolor automotive gray primer in a spray can.

For colors I use a combo of Duplicolor, Tamiya and krylon spray cans.

Between the different brands I can match colors pretty well.

To mask off colors I use Tamiya tape for the separation line and regular Surtape masking tape for fill in. 

This system works well for me....has been for years in my plastic model hobby.

Samples

yes...I am 3 railer....but paint is paint!

I use the Testors in the small 1/2 oz. bottles if it is a standard color. I will mix them occasionally to get what I want because it is tough and fast drying.

I also use Scalecoat II and it is great. It covers good and drys to touch in 30 minutes unless there is high humidity. I try not to paint on those days.

Malcolm

Thanks everyone. Good tips. Exactly what I was hoping for.

"I also use Scalecoat II and it is great. It covers good and drys to touch in 30 minutes unless there is high humidity".

Honestly, I do not see how that is possible. I have used scale coat 2 numerous times and tried different thinners and different mix ratios. I never have seen Scale coat that drys to the touch in 30 minutes, or even 2 hours. What is your secret? Some say use Scale coat 1 thinner and mix 50/50. I have tried all that and it really makes no difference. The thing I dislike most about Scale coat is the long dry times. It generally takes at least 2 full days before you can do anything else with it.

Rob

To each his own, but i've been using Scalecoat II with Scalecoat II thinner for over 15 years (thinned with between 20% and 30 % thinner). In the past i used a Badger single action airbrush, but for the last decade have been using either a Preval sprayer for small projects, and Scalecoat II in rattle cans for big (multiple pieces of rolling stock) projects.

I have found it flows so well that small nicks can be touched up with a fine brush.

But to each his own.

One thing i did learn from the good painters in the auto restoration shops i managed was that paint problems were generally NOT the result of bad paint (altho that was an easy place to put the blame), but the result of improper application (not compensating for humidity, wrong kind/amount of thinner or reducer, wrong temperature, etc).

Again to each his own.

jackson

Mike and AMCDave: Awesome work!

Mike, when you did those Atlas switchers did you start from undec units or was it units repainted for a different road? If a different road did you just sand down the finish or strip it completely? Thanks in advance.

I never paint if the humidity is above 65% and prefer it to be much lower. My basement shop is around 65 degrees year round and A/C. I use a Paashe H model brush. I generally use the same thinner as paint brand. Scale coat 2 is the only paint I ever have troubles with. 

Rob

Nice American.  What did it start life as (Catalog number please.)?

Thanks....it started as a Lionel Christmas General from a few years back.....bought on blow out for $79!

I did alter the cab as I HATE that bay window thing on the front of the cab....and thus I had to add some boiler in front of the cab. I also altered the tender removing the 'wood' load, added a new deck and water hatch then a real wood load. Custom paint and decals I made......and we get a Toy Story II loco!

I painted the HO Frisco caboose and the N scale Wabash F7 with model master acrylics. 

Jeff C

oldrob,

I have used Scalecoat II for so many years and NOT had drying problems. My wife won't let me spray in the house so I do it in the garage. The onle weather you can count on in northwest Iowa is it will be hot or cold and the humidity will be through the roof. I just use cheap paint thinner.