simulating oil streaks on locos

[Peter MacCauley]

I've noticed on some older locomotives that oil streaks form in the hinges of doors or where hood sections join together (similar to http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1249244). I'd like to simulate this weathering with paint (airbrushed) on some of my HO locos, but have never done this before. Has anyone else tried this? I've used a cue card with slits cut in it to simulate other weathering, but would it work with such a narrow slit? Are there other methods that i should try?

Any help would be appreciated,

Peter.

 

[wheeler1963]

Peter, I don't know if you could get that affect with an airbrush or not. I would do it with washes myself. Kinda like these rust streaks, just with black instead.

 

[UP2CSX]

This is a great use for chalks. Just take some artist's pastel chalks in gray and run them down the door edges. Use you finger to even them out. Spray on some Dullcote and see how it looks. If it's not dark enough, do it again. The nice thing about chalks is that it's hard to get it too dark the first time.

 

[Espeefan]

I've noticed on some older locomotives that oil streaks form in the hinges of doors or where hood sections join together (similar to http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1249244). I'd like to simulate this weathering with paint (airbrushed) on some of my HO locos, but have never done this before. Has anyone else tried this? I've used a cue card with slits cut in it to simulate other weathering, but would it work with such a narrow slit? Are there other methods that i should try?

Any help would be appreciated,

Peter.

Well Peter congratulations on using an airbrush to weather. That scares the BeJesus out of most guys I have found that using a mask makes the marks look like they were masked off. Mother Nature does not make neat streaks! It also depends on what airbrush you have, and what you are spraying. For something that fine, You need a very good airbrush, like an Iwata Eclipse. The Badgers & Paasches, while very good in their own right, don't spray a fine enough line to make this work. The eyedropper technique can also get away from you. I'd recommend a "00" brush and dragging a drop of paint down the line. If you use acrylics, you can clean anything that strays off with a wet Q tip. As far as adivce goes, I'd say that all of the best weathering jobs I've seen or done involved several techniques, airbrushing, paintbrushing, chalks, and washes! Sounds like lots of work, but it's fun!

 

[wheeler1963]

Peter, here's the one I just finished. Are these the streaks your talking about?