Re-numbering Farish/Dapol diesels

[mk1gtstu]

This is the one I have & use for my weathering,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Professional-Double-Action-Airbrush-Air-Brush-Kit-0-25mm-Gravity-Feed-Craft-/120924532383?pt=UK_Crafts_DrawingSupplies_EH&hash=item1c27a9ee9f#ht_2617wt_1331

It came with the compressor, doesn't even have any spare nozzle/needles, its just a cheapo one but seems to work well.

cheers, Stu.

[Dr Al]

Interesting - thanks Stu. I don't see why I shouldn't be able to get a fairly good pattern with the RDG one - I suspect that it's overdue a new needle/ nozzle though as it's been well used in both my rail and aircraft modelling. The 0.25mm nozzle on that is a good guide.

What pressure do you spray at, and do you particularly thin the paint or do anything out of the ordinary?

Cheers,
Alan

[mk1gtstu]

You should get a good spray pattern with your airbrush, it looks to be a good one.
I run my compressor at around 25psi, I use Railmatch enamel paints thinned with white spirit until its the consistency of milk & thats it really, seems to work well enough for me, I'm no expert on doing airbrushing, only been doing it for a year or so by just practising & attacking my locos & rolling stock 

cheers, Stu.

[Dr Al]

I'm no expert on doing airbrushing, only been doing it for a year or so by just practising & attacking my locos & rolling stock 

You have the wizard touch - there's no doubt 

I can get very nice repaints with my RDG brush, and have done a fair few, but I know from aircraft modelling that weathering with it is a challenge - I've used it to do exhaust staining and suchlike, but usually it takes 4 or 5 attempts and much rubbing off of paint before I'm happy! That's 1:72 scale, so 1:148 N will be even harder!! If I can illustrate with a slightly OT example (Sorry folks, I've only done airbrush weathering on planes so far  !) :




Cheers,
Alan

[mk1gtstu]

I'm no expert on doing airbrushing, only been doing it for a year or so by just practising & attacking my locos & rolling stock 

You have the wizard touch - there's no doubt 

I can get very nice repaints with my RDG brush, and have done a fair few, but I know from aircraft modelling that weathering with it is a challenge - I've used it to do exhaust staining and suchlike, but usually it takes 4 or 5 attempts and much rubbing off of paint before I'm happy! That's 1:72 scale, so 1:148 N will be even harder!! If I can illustrate with a slightly OT example (Sorry folks, I've only done airbrush weathering on planes so far  !) :




Cheers,
Alan

Very nice Hurricane! 

I don't know about a wizard touch, I have a few disasters doing airbrushing now & then! 
cheers, Stu.

[Dr Al]

Very nice! 

Thanks, but not quite good enough for N gauge locos yet (which are half the size remember) - a bit too grainy I think.

Cheers,
Alan

[mk1gtstu]

Maybe its worth you getting one of these cheap airbrushes & giving it a try? It may give you a finer spray than the one you have?

cheers, Stu.

[Dr Al]

Maybe its worth you getting one of these cheap airbrushes & giving it a try? It may give you a finer spray than the one you have?

It's definitely a possibility - think I'll play first with my brush and see what performance I can get, but will keep hold of your link for future reference - shows that you don't need very expensive tools if you do things right 

Cheers,
Alan

[mk1gtstu]

Yes have a try 1st & see how you get on.
As an example this is the sort of fine spray effect I can get with mine (cruel close ups of some of my repaint projects)





cheers, Stu.

[Dr Al]

These are all a superb standard, Stu.

Have you considered lowering your 37s? It's not so hard to do and really improves the look:



Left is standard, right has been modified.

I have a spare class 47, so it might be a choice as a weathering victim.... 

Cheers,
Alan

[mk1gtstu]

Thankyou, yes I have lowered some of my 37's since those pics were taken & it does improve them a bit I think,
the one on the right in this pic I've lowered..


need to take some better photos of them really 

cheers, Stu.

[Dr Al]

Nice, makes those 37s really come alive.

Well, inspired by your works, I've pulled out my spare 47 and renumbered it in preparation for a first go with the airbrush:



Fingers crossed! 

Cheers,
Alan