Spray painting tank wagons

P

playmofire

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I'm wanting to customise some LGB Toy Train tank wagons but whereas with, say, a box car you can mask off the sides already sprayed or waiting to be sprayed, that's not so easy with a cylindrical shape. I find that I can get a good shine anywhere, but not at the same time because of overspray.

Does any one have any ideas or solutions?
 
playmofire said:
I'm wanting to customise some LGB Toy Train tank wagons but whereas with, say, a box car you can mask off the sides already sprayed or waiting to be sprayed, that's not so easy with a cylindrical shape. I find that I can get a good shine anywhere, but not at the same time because of overspray.

Does any one have any ideas or solutions?
Click to expand...
I've sprayed a few tankers in my time Gordon, but all have been done with a matt finish. Is there any particular reason you want them to be shiny?
 
Yes both of mine have been sprayed matt grey so no help with glossy tips I am afraid.

However one end does come out so can you not put the tank and that end on a lazy suzanne rotating thingy, then spray carefully all round?
 
You could try using a satin finish, more forgiving than gloss, or you could paint by hand using a brush, which also gives a streaked weathered appearance..

dig 150617005.JPG

David
 
ebay mike said:
I've sprayed a few tankers in my time Gordon, but all have been done with a matt finish. Is there any particular reason you want them to be shiny?
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I'm coming round to your view, Mike, matt is good. I'm only thinking gloss because I have the colours concerned in gloss car acrylic already.
 
dunnyrail said:
Yes both of mine have been sprayed matt grey so no help with glossy tips I am afraid.

However one end does come out so can you not put the tank and that end on a lazy suzanne rotating thingy, then spray carefully all round?
Click to expand...
Thanks, Jon. I.m using a party susan type thing (a turntable for cake icing) but with the tank horizontal; maybe a change to vertical might make a difference.
 
playmofire said:
Thanks, David, satin finish I hadn't thought of so I;ll give it a try. Brush I had tried but wasn't too happy with it, but maybe practice helps.
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Not sure if this is of help but, I often spray my locos in gloss then when transfers have been applied spray with Halfords Matt lacquer. It usually gives an almost matt (or satin?) finish to the previously gloss.
Chris
 
Hello Gordon,
Sorry to answer so lately, I just read your topic.

On my side, I remove the cover
and I insert a piece of wood ( part B ) in the hole
It is screwed with a base ( part A )
( I try to draw a picture because I am not at home :mm: )


1694607186032.png
Then tank is "upside down"
but I have not found another way to hold the tank
Actually, I keep the part A with second hand ( gloved hand ) in order to present all the "sides" for painting.

Good thing with PM tank is that upper surface is ( partially ) hidden by platform
And I use to paint with mat color

1694607966936.png



I tried brilliant color for 2 tanks ( AGIP and Union Pacific ) but I agree it is not easy
( and I did not renouveller experiment .... )


1694607795720.png


Do not forget to remove the cover and paint inside the hole
Sometimes I need to sand in the hole before painting.
If not, thickness of paint could prevent cover to return to its position
 
Xav204 said:
Hello Gordon,
Sorry to answer so lately, I just read your topic.

On my side, I remove the cover
and I insert a piece of wood ( part B ) in the hole
It is screwed with a base ( part A )
( I try to draw a picture because I am not at home :mm: )


View attachment 318552
Then tank is "upside down"
but I have not found another way to hold the tank
Actually, I keep the part A with second hand ( gloved hand ) in order to present all the "sides" for painting.

Good thing with PM tank is that upper surface is ( partially ) hidden by platform
And I use to paint with mat color

View attachment 318554



I tried brilliant color for 2 tanks ( AGIP and Union Pacific ) but I agree it is not easy
( and I did not renouveller experiment .... )


View attachment 318553


Do not forget to remove the cover and paint inside the hole
Sometimes I need to sand in the hole before painting.
If not, thickness of paint could prevent cover to return to its position
Click to expand...
Thank you Xav, and what excel;lent results you get.
 
Many thanks to everyone for their replies which have been most helpful.

So I think my route forward is something like:

1. matt colour, maybe just primer if using car paints. Limited colours of red oxide, grey, white and black, but with only six tankers, these are quite enough;

2. maybe mask so that tank is sprayed in two parts or maybe more;

3. for ease of applying tranfers/decals, gloss spray coat,

4. after that a matt clear spray.
 
ciao, here some items from China

1 - primer
2 - silver paint
3 - matt

plus a little bit rust on chassis

ciao fomr Italy, Paolo ;)

CISTERNE_PZ.jpg
 

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Using car sprays to get a gloss finish is hard at best of times. Especially if the air is damp or cold.
Try ensuring you have a warm place.
If you’re in a shed or garage don’t do it on a damp, foggy day.
Spray one light coat, let it dry for half an hour.
Spray another coat, but before it’s dry spray again and give it a “wet” coat. Enough to build and look shiny but not too much to cause runs!
It’s tricky but practice will help.
Also, you’ll find some car paints just don’t actually produce a gloss finish from the can.
You need to use a gloss lacquer over them.
 
Also, always spray the complex, difficult to get at parts first then finish off with the larger mostly seen parts. Like spraying a car, you do inside the doors where the hinges and latches are before doing the outside panels. Doing it this way avoids over spray going on the main visual parts.
 
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