Has anyone had any experience with the Dapol unpainted wagons?

I'm looking at the following from Hattons:

http://www.ehattons.com/60651/Dapol_2F_038_000_20_Ton_steel_mineral_wagon_unpainted/StockDetail.aspx

I don't have a problem painting it if the top section is detachable to be sprayed but don't fancy having to paint it while still attached to the chassis! Does anyone know if the top section can be separated reasonably easily?

Iain.

Hi Iain 

Yes the body can be removed from the frames 

There are 2 clips underneath but go careful as the couplings and springs can fly off 

Best way to do it is inside a clear plastic bag

dave 

When they were first introduced these I ordered 6 unpainted Siphons -at £6 each - (only wanting the chassis for a project)  for some reason they had a problem with unpainted siphons so I received 6 painted ones  for the same price. Not complaining!

To be honest, I think they are relatively expensive compared secondhand painted wagons - if I'm repainting I just buy secondhands instead, especially any with paintwork damage!

Cheers,
Alan

I think these are a great option if you want to have a go at painting a cheap RTR wagon. I have treated myself to a batch of Siphons and was well pleased with the results. 4 x Siphons including postage was £27 I had the paint, decals from the NGS shop were just under £5 including postage Total £32. Versus 4 x RTR = £48 and I enjoyed a bit of NON card modelling for a change.

Did the same with the Grain wagons but lost a spring so do as Davieb says use protection.

Jerry

Thanks guys, half my rolling stock (and all my buildings) is kit built or repainted because i much prefer the challenge/interest of my own work. Definitely going to pick myself up a few of these.

Quote from: Dr Al on November 13, 2013, 02:30:51 PM
To be honest, I think they are relatively expensive compared secondhand painted wagons - if I'm repainting I just buy secondhands instead, especially any with paintwork damage!

Cheers,
Alan

Thanks Alan, ive done this with a few wagons because you are quite right, ive picked up some great bargains like this but unfortunately these larger 20 ton wagons only seem to be made by dapol and a couple of kit manufacturers so come up very rarely second hand!

Iain

I have just got 4 syphon g wagons at £6 each compared with £11 for the painted items it seemed a bargin.  It will give me some more painting practice anyway.
Not so sure about the smaller wagons the saving there was only about £2-3 but if you want a specific livery or finish

Quote from: Dalteth on November 13, 2013, 04:01:15 PM
but unfortunately these larger 20 ton wagons only seem to be made by dapol and a couple of kit manufacturers so come up very rarely second hand!

A while back there were some made in some seemingly fairly unpopular red livery, which Hattons reduced down to £4 ea to shift - shame you missed that!!!

Cheers,
Alan

I have picked up an unpainted siphon to paint up in BR crimson. I have never understood why Dapol seem allergic to doing the Siphon, B-sets and Autcoach in plain crimson despite the fact it was the standard livery for them for several years. 

Fortunately, plain crimson is one of the easiest liveries to paint. I will post a pic of the finished article once it is done.

Alas I shortly after I acquired my unpainted siphons the only model shop that was near to where I stayed had only Humbrol Carmine. So I have painted them and then weathered them to look like a faded crimson.


This next picture shows the unfortunate gap between the 2 this I need to rectify, as I have placed a Langley double decker bus in the gap!

Thanks for pointing these out. Hadn't noticed them before.

They are just the job for recreating customer wagons for my layout.