St. Simon Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Hi, I’m close to the point at which I need to paint the track on my new layout. Previously I have painted the rails by hand, but I have always found that this doesn’t look good and takes a long time if you have a large layout. So this time I’m looking at spraying the track, but I have a few questions: 1) What is the best colour available as a rattle can spray for rail rust and a general track colour for concrete sleepered track? 2) What is the best way of masking sleepers / rail clips so that they aren’t coloured by the rail rust colour? I know that people will probably say that using an air brush is best, however I haven’t got an airbrush and I don’t particularly want to use an airbrush. Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tractor_37260 Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, St. Simon said: Hi, I’m close to the point at which I need to paint the track on my new layout. Previously I have painted the rails by hand, but I have always found that this doesn’t look good and takes a long time if you have a large layout. So this time I’m looking at spraying the track, but I have a few questions: 1) What is the best colour available as a rattle can spray for rail rust and a general track colour for concrete sleepered track? 2) What is the best way of masking sleepers / rail clips so that they aren’t coloured by the rail rust colour? I know that people will probably say that using an air brush is best, however I haven’t got an airbrush and I don’t particularly want to use an airbrush. Simon A rattle can is not really ideal for painting the track due to the amount of paint it puts out. An airbrush is much more suited as you can control the vol of paint and where it lands more accurately. The rail clips and rail are usually the same colour. Narrow masking tape could be used to cover the sleepers down the centre and at each side of the rails before the rails/chairs are painted. Other than that it's a paint brush job...... If a rattle can be your choice, either Railmatch or Pheonix Precision I think do spray cans of suitable colours. Edited July 17, 2020 by tractor_37260 correct text Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killybegs Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 The Railmatch spray cans really do throw out a lot of paint. Best avoided if you can. When I was building a very large layout for a friend, he bought a device specifically designed for painting rails by hand. It made life a lot easier. I'm afraid I can't remember what it was called but someone on here may know or you could research it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mick Bonwick Posted July 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Killybegs said: When I was building a very large layout for a friend, he bought a device specifically designed for painting rails by hand. It made life a lot easier. I'm afraid I can't remember what it was called but someone on here may know or you could research it. I expect that this is what you mean. https://www.osbornsmodels.com/rusty-rails-painter-724-c.asp 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Humbrol dark brown no 29 acrylic gives good results for track. Spray cans are easily available from Hobbycraft around £6.00. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killybegs Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Mick Bonwick said: I expect that this is what you mean. https://www.osbornsmodels.com/rusty-rails-painter-724-c.asp That's the one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Metr0Land Posted July 19, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 19, 2020 I had a lot of track to do for my current layout. If you haven't laid the track already, there's a fairly straightforward method I discovered on youtube using Tamiya TS-1 red/brown spray. It's more like a lacquer than a paint, but a quick whizz over with this (outside of course) and then wipe the rails down quickly with a cloth before it dries. No need for masking. rev a Tamiya Spray 800px by Sarah S1ddons, on Flickr rev d ballasted track 800px by Sarah S1ddons, on Flickr rev L99 rear by Sarah S1ddons, on Flickr Layout thread here: 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul80 Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Halfords Camo Brown in a big aerosol cans is often recommended and used on a big club layout I am working on. Looks good and well controlled output which made painting n-gauge track nice quick and easy. Give it a go 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Half-full Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 11 minutes ago, Paul80 said: Halfords Camo Brown in a big aerosol cans is often recommended and used on a big club layout I am working on. Looks good and well controlled output which made painting n-gauge track nice quick and easy. Give it a go Thats what I use too, great colour for a base or even on its own, very easy to control Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinofLoxley Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) I have just bumped this thread up because i'm looking for a track painting applicator similar to that mentioned above by Mick Bonwick. On utube Charlie Bishop used one to paint track, the difference is that his had a soft brush pad on it, whereas the Joes Model railway version offered by Osborns Models and others appears to be a hard wheel. It doesn't take a genius to work out that the hard wheel will squeeze the paint sideways and Im worried it will finish up on the sleepers, not perfectly on the rails and chairs as Charlie did it. Unfortunately he didnt mention where he got the product! I edited this post but the edit has disappeared! I later found the utube demo which shows pads in the kit so Im going to order one. Edited February 7, 2022 by RobinofLoxley Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barclay Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 18 hours ago, RobinofLoxley said: I have just bumped this thread up because i'm looking for a track painting applicator similar to that mentioned above by Mick Bonwick. On utube Charlie Bishop used one to paint track, the difference is that his had a soft brush pad on it, whereas the Joes Model railway version offered by Osborns Models and others appears to be a hard wheel. It doesn't take a genius to work out that the hard wheel will squeeze the paint sideways and Im worried it will finish up on the sleepers, not perfectly on the rails and chairs as Charlie did it. Unfortunately he didnt mention where he got the product! I edited this post but the edit has disappeared! I later found the utube demo which shows pads in the kit so Im going to order one. If you are planning to order from Osborns Models may I suggest that you check their Trustpilot Reviews before doing so? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinofLoxley Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 3 hours ago, Barclay said: If you are planning to order from Osborns Models may I suggest that you check their Trustpilot Reviews before doing so? They dont have any anyway. In fact I cant locate an alternative in the UK, so I have mailed Joes Trains to ask who they sell to in the UK, if anyone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinofLoxley Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 (edited) To which the answer was no one. Osborns models not active on this area. So anyone wanting one will have to order it direct. I think Joes trains would be happy to be contacted by someone in the trade for UK sales Edited February 10, 2022 by RobinofLoxley Extra info Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza3727 Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 (edited) Charlie Bishop's painter was like a marker pen? They're supplied by Woodlands Scenics. Try TMC, The Model Centre. Edited February 18, 2022 by bazza3727 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold teaky Posted February 18, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 18, 2022 Or perhaps a Winsor & Newton pigment marker for a lot less? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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