Cool!

I'll have to check that out!

Love It

So, now instead of paying $3 to $5 for  a 1 oz bottle from Testors, we can go to our local home improvement store and get 12 times as much for the same price!

You've got to admire Testor's business acumen!

Great

Do you have an example of photo of what the paint looks like on the rails?

Camouflage paint

Krylon and Rust-Oleum make Camouflage paint in a bunch of colors, including dark brown. It's absolutely dead flat and perfect for base coat on rails and ties. It's lightning quick too. Anyone who is still using rip-off model paint for things like track is missing the boat. This hobby is expensive enough.

Mike Confalone

I think the same company owns

I think the same company owns both brands.

Camouflage Paint

Totally agree with Mike C on the Camo paint - good stuff, and makes the track look great, even without further treatment. I could not find it locally, but was able to order on Amazon. This new Roof paint might be a good alternative to get cheaper and quicker though, so thanks Mike Cartobiano for pointing this out!

http://mainecentral.blogspot.com/2014/07/track-in-and-painted.html

Mike McNamara

Delran, NJ

Rattle-can painted rails

I've been using large cans of spray paint for track and structures for a long time.

So now we just need a way to

So now we just need a way to get the paint out of the can and into a bottle?  

-Doug M

Application

You can spray directly from the can into an airbrush jar if you want to apply with an airbrush, and I've done it multiple times with Rustoleum spray paint.  I'm not sure that was a serious question, but hey - it can be done.  Most of the time I just paint the track right from the can.

Much of the track on my layout has a base layer of Rustoleum camouflage paint, followed by additional weathering using acrylic dry-brushing and washes, plus chalks and/or airbrushing in some cases.

The same paint's also great for wheelsets.  The wheels on this UP hopper started the same color as the track.

The basic color from the can isn't a limiting factor,  The paint provides tooth for other weathering to stick that wouldn't work as well on plain plastic or metal.  All this track began with the same Rustoleum paint.

Thin the paint for airbrush?

Do you find the paint thin enough for the airbrush or does it need to be thinned? What do you find works best for thinning?

track painting

How easy is it to clean the top of the rails after painting?

Re: Eric

Decanted spray paint always seems a bit thick to me for successful airbrush use.  I typically will add maybe 10% mineral spirits first.

Re: jfornasar

Really easy.  I use a worn out utility knife blade, dragging so the cutting edge won't dig into the rail.  Most of the paint on the rail heads comes right off and there should be no damage.  I finish up the rest with a track eraser.  I go back after ballasting and touch up things like the tops of guard rails and frog wing rails that aren't wear surfaces on the prototype.  These get painted the basic rail color again, this time with a small brush.

thanks

getting close to painting track...

Color comparison?

Anybody compare the Earth Brown camo paint and the Weathered Wood roof accessory paint side by side? Are they discernibly different? Wondering whether one would be more suitable for ties and the other for rails. Another comment on Facebook mentioned using a brown Rust-Oleum first, then masking the ties and using Tamiya Red Brown spray on the rails -- anyone else try that, and if so, how'd it look?

Thanks Rob

Thanks Rob for the info.

cleaning the railss

I use an Arkansas Stone to clean the top of the rails

HI there, nice paint for the

HI there,

nice paint for the rails and ties.....looking good....Now I have to look how to get something like that here in germany.....

Cheers,Chris

Rust-Oleum Camouflage Brown

 I sprayed to cover 10 pieces of flex track and waited about 5-10 minutes until it was dry to the touch. Then wiped the the rail tops with cloth dipped in mineral spirits. Paying attention to the tops and inside the rail head. First 8 wiped immediately clean. The last two required a little more effort and a final knife blade scrape.  Next time I will spray 5 at a time. Problem solved. If I had to paint more than 5 in one sitting I think I would wipe the rail head with a little light oil before painting.

Nice looking track Rob.Thanks everyone.

Take care. Always have fun

Bill

Cleaning rail tops

I just run a piece of 2x2 lumber over the top, a scrap piece that is 3 inches long or so. Works great. A quick wipe with a dry rag and it's done. No need for extra chemicals. I've been using the camo paint since watching Mike C's DVD series.

Then, once the track is laid and scenicked, I run a bright boy over all the track to clean it up.

Charles

I want to use Rust-Oleum, but.........

........My problem is not the track is already laid (only makes it easier), but that it is laid upon pink insulation fam board. And, as you can probably surmise, the paint in the can doesn't like the foam (I tested it last night after I read the thread)!

Now, my foam is mostly already painted with a layer of latex "base paint" to "protect" the foam from being eaten away (it does work, I tested that, too!), but that's not a foolproof, guaranteed solution. Oh yeah, and the basement does not have a lot of windows to be opened for ventilation (I'm not into huffing paint, thanks!).

So, is my only real choice an acryillic paint with an airbrush (I have some Delta Ceramcoat colors lying around), or maybe even dry brushing (I was planning on doing that for the ties anyway)? That's just a tedious job I am NOT looking forward to, but I want that "grungy, used track" look......If only I had thought about painting all the track BEFORE I had laid it........

Hey Ralph...

You could try a primer coat of something like Liquitex acrylic spray paint from an art/craft store.  It's somewhat expensive compared to most spray cans, but would be much less tedious than messing with spraying craft paint.  It could make a good base for dry-brushing or washes.

Here's a listing of available colors  http://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-professional-spray-paint/#resources .

Liquitex Spray Paint

Thank you very much, Rob! That sounds like the route I'll go down after I do some more price/brand research. I think we have some Dick Blick stores here in NJ. The recent photos of your track work inspired me to start thinking about "worrying" about how to go about painting my track again. At this point, I need all the inspiration I can get to get something done on the layout again after being idle for two years!

"So, is my only real choice

    Airbrushing with acrylic craft paint works fine as long as your brush has a larger needle/tip installed. Once you figure out which colors to use it goes fast and is easier than spray cans to control the quantity and placement.      I  only use acrylic paints these days and don't miss the solvents at all.......DaveB