Tools, tips and tricks

Ron Pare's picture

MTM: Abu Hayder | scale modeling in Iraq

Life isn't always what we want it to be, that is a fact world wide.
Cultures are often grouped into regional challenges, by outsiders trying to figure out what is going on.
But I would like to point out, that no matter what you have been told, People are not inherently evil. They are not unlike you. Sometimes, they are just like you. Trying to just get by.

On30 3D Printed Freight Car - PLA vs HIPS heat exposure

A promising Start

I have been experimenting with printing a On30 flat car on my home 3D Printer. This is a small simple FDM printer, nothing fancy. Like many beginners I have been using PLA filament. Its is very easy to print with and a very forgiving for 3D printing. My first pass at the car had made it to the spray booth and was looking very promising. However, the model would never make it to the layout.

The images and discussion of what happened follows in the first comment, below.

ChuckG-EDO's picture

Any issue with using decal-related solutions on an acrylic paint job?

I'm thinking I want to use acrylics instead of enamels, acct. the clean-up, toxicity, airbrush cleanliness, etc. reasons for using the former. This would be for the main 'body' paint job, not just details.

THE OVERALL QUESTION: Will the chemicals in any aspect of the decal setting, sealing, etc. process, mar the acrylic paint job?

A MORE SPECIFIC ONE: Can I apply the decals without putting a glosscoat or similar seal over the entire painted area first?

The internets is all over the place on this question. Thank you.

Ron Pare's picture

MTM: Ibrahim Kacar | miniature toolsmith

In my travels, I find the most interesting tips and techniques I pick up are found in the hobbies that closely resemble our own. Really, even within Model Railroading the range of interests are so wide and varied that it is almost a crime to overlook a similar hobby, just because it lacks a train model.

In today's interview, we travel to Turkey to meet a miniature toolsmith. I introduce to you Ibrahim Kacar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJdt82TlJfM

Great Northern Simplified Patch and Paint Match

Hi everyone,

I am doing a BN patch job with renumbering on a GN Athearn RTR GP-35. It is similar to the one below. My question is what is a good match for the GN simplified green? It always looked more brown to me but I do have some red/green colorblindness. Is there a color out there? Do I have to mix my own? I do not have an airbrush and was looking to see if anyone had experience here on doing color matched patches. By the way, the color does not have to be perfectly matched, considering 5 years of heavy use and the fact that it is a patch job.

A nice EZ wearthering video

I'm always on the hunt for tips & tricks to make me a better modeler.  As some here know I like what the military modelers do and try and bring it back to trains.  I found this video and thought some here might like it.  Anyway, just passing it on, I hope it helps someone.

Steve

 

Has Anyone Tried Vallejo Gloss and Matte Varnish?

Has anyone (Joe???) tried the Vallejo gloss and matte varnishes? Do they airbrush as easily as the Model Air colors? Are thinning ratios similar to the colors? Does the gloss give a good surface to apply decals?

 

I've been testing the Model Air and Game Air colors using the tips from Joe's Acrylic Paint Guide and I'm impressed with the finish I've been getting. Now it's time to take the next step with the clear overcoats.

 

Don

For Joe and all. A twist on the HP Acrylic Solvent

I'd like to offer Joe an olive branch with my thanks for making all this possible.

MRH Guide to Acrylic Painting - HP Thinner Formula ...

On page 31 of the MRH painting guide there is a formula for High-Performance Thinner which is as follows:

55% distilled water (550 ml)

25% butyl cellosolve (200 ml)

25% Armor All Auto Glas Cleaner (200 ml)

5% acrylic retarder (50ml)

Which adds to 110%, but more to the point to 1000 ml, not 950 as indicated.

The formula immediately below on that page adds to 110%, but to 950 ml as shown.

Apparently there is an error in the first formula?

dave1905's picture

The Cut

Now that the Elsmere Bridge is pretty well done, time to move north to the cut between Elsmere and Montchanin.


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