Weathering BR-era diesel grilles--pigments or paint?

[Crepello]

I'm considering pigments rather than masking and spraying; has anyone found the right colour (brake dust/mud) from the jar?

[37501]

My preferred method is a wash of Humbrol enamel Matt Black with a hint of Matt Leather, thinned with white spirit and applied with a small brush. Any excess is easily removed with a cotton bud dipped in white spirit. No need to mask. I do use my airbrush as part of the weathering process but start with brushed on washes.

 

John

[Mick Bonwick]

Unless you want all your diesels to look the same, I wouldn't recommend using just one colour. Do a search for BR Blue on flickr and you'll see what I mean straight away.

 

If you want to try pigments for this task try a combination of dark grey (not quite black) and dark earth shades. Several modelling pigment manufacturers produce shades that are suitable.

[Crepello]

Thank you Mick. I bought a jar of MIG tracks wash from you at a show where you were demonstrating. In the absence of any replies prior to yours, I tried it on some spare bodies this morning--it seems ideal and is nicely subtle for my N-gauge diesels. I've used it on the side grilles and might track black or dark washes for the roof grilles, possibly mixed with the track wash. 

[Mick Bonwick]

Aha! Washes are my first choice for grilles, so it's good that you have found that out for yourself. Slight variations in colour are good for all weathering tasks, where ever you are working on the locomotive body.

[GRUNFOS]

I use slightly thinned Tamiya XF69 NATO black on side grills. Seems to work OK.