Boiler Colour

[greggieboy]

Hi guys,can anyone help ?....I am repainting some ready to run GWR locomotives.Can anyone suggest a colour for the front part of the boilers and smokebox.. It seems that originally they appear as a really (dirty and dull) flat black. I have matt black enamel and acrylic,but both seem to look pristine black when dry and i dont want to get involved in weathering after painting,so wondered if anyone had any suggestions as to what paint could do the job.  Thanks.....Greg.

[Steamport Southport]

If you are painting them black and want them to go even duller then you need to use a matt varnish.

 

Use the same make as what paint you are using if possible. But as long as you use an enamel varnish for enamel paint and acrylic for acrylic then you should be fine.

 

Humbrol Clear is good. You can get it in Gloss, Satin and Matt

 

Watch the video here.

 

https://uk.humbrol.com/products/humbrol-clear-125ml-ac7431

[Paul H Vigor]

I've always had a liking for Phoenix Precision Paints - Dirty Black! 

[Hal Nail]

I mix a little precision frame dirt with matt black, and perhaps a hint of gun metal, thinned so it flows, then cover with as few strokes as possible. Once dry a very light buff with kitchen roll evens out the patchy finish you often get with matt black.

 

Getting an even finish on the smoke box door with all the clutter is often the hardest removing the handles first helps of possible

 

[greggieboy]

Thanks to you all for your quick replies....I will try your recommendations and see which works best for me.

Edited April 4, 2021 by greggieboy

[Siberian Snooper]

Pendant mode on; the boiler colour is probably rust, unless it has just been overhauled when it may have had some form of paint. Pendant mode off. The cladding carries the finished paint work and  the smokebox will generally have been painted gloss black, but will discolour due to the heat.