Blackthorn

Are Humbrol paints available in BC?  If so, get the Metal Cote Gunmetal.  My tin has got 27004 stamped into the lid, which I assume is Humbrol's reference number. 

If it's not available in Canada it's quite definitely not worth the astronomical costs that would undoubtedly be involved in buying it from the UK.  It might be worth trying to mix your own version.  Metalcote is a thick black enamel paint with a lot of ultra-fine metal fragments in it, not unlike a small-scale, brush-on version of the metallic aerosol paints you can get from car shops.  I have to stress that I've not tried this myself so it might not work, but if I was to try and make my own I'd use some ordinary black enamel, a lump of steel and a small, fine file.  It would undoubtedly take some time and effort to create enough metal filings to have the necessary effect so I'd advise wielding the file first before adding the small amounts of paint needed to mix with it.  Some experimenting would undoubtedly be needed and even then it might not work, but it's the best I can think of.

If it does work, it is particularly useful for weathering.  The approved method with Metalcote is to paint it on, let it dry then polish it using a cotton bud to create a metallic sheen.  I use it on loco brake gear, footplates and so on but I've seen experts use it to create that silvery sheen that old, unpainted wood has.

Having written all that, it belatedly occurs to me that US modellers are streets ahead of us in the UK when it comes to weathering techniques and materials, so they have undoubtedly got an equivalent to Metalcote that is every bit as good, if not better and - more to the point - far cheaper and easier to obtain in Canada.  Take a look at some of the modelling tutorials that are available on YouTube (Some are so bad you'll find yourself staring at the screen in slack-jawed disbelief.  Others are so good you will find yourself gaping in awe!) and see what hints and tips you pick up there.  And dont confine yourself to the railway modelling videos.  The wargamers and military modellers can teach us a lot.

With regard to the brick arch on your water tower, it's fine as it is but would be improved further with a tiny, tiny hint of dark blue being added to a top coat of Metalcote.

Good luck, and let me know how you get on.

Mike

Many, many thanks for the response and tips.  I have to take the ferry over to Campbell River tomorrow. The paints I use come from the dollar store, equivalent to the pound shop, but their range of acrylic colours is amazing and at $2 for a 118ml bottle I don't mind experimenting with mixing of colours.  There is an automotive aftermarket shop as well so I will pop in and see if they have anything like metalcote. 

The ferry is walk on and walk off for free, sometimes there is a bit of a wait as if there are whales etc. in Discovery Passage they won't run.  The ferries are run by the indigenous population and have a deep respect of all the marine life that use the passage. A lesson to be learned by all I think.

Many Thanks again for the information and YouTube tips.

MJ

Mark.   

(Sorry, I go by MJ as there are too many Marks in our family and friends!) 

Hi Mike just a quick update on the engineers blue brick. It doesn't show up too well in the photograph, there is a slight metallic effect so I can live with it. I guess rule number 1 applies. It's obviously is a work in progress and I get a chance to work on things when I'm not stuck in a hospital ward!