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Hi All,
I just purchased a few Penn Central cabooses and I want to weather them pretty heavily using paint and chalks but I'm not sure how to deal with the plastic windows. Is it best to cut some tape to mask the windows or to try and open the caboose and remove them entirely?
-Joe
What make are the cabs? That's going to determine how easy it will be to get inside.
I've got and Atlas NE-6 Item #6307-1 and a Bluford Shops transfer caboose #35031.
-Joe
You should be able to get inside the Atlas easy. There should be a couple of screws on the underside whose removal will allow you to get inside. I've never seen a Bluford Shops one, but it may be very similar.
I would also check the undersides at the spot where the end doors are located. There could be a snap fit to the floor there.
Then once in there how would I go about removing the window glazings without damaging them?
-Joe
Since they are probably glued in place, and probably not that well, a sharp blade like a #11, should let you get the edge under the glazing and pop it out. I wouldn't worry if the glazing gets broke, as its easily replaced.
Excellent. I'll give it a try.
-Joe
For weathering factory painted cabooses, I find it quicker to just mask all the windows than to dig them out and have to replace them - especially if there is a cupola involved.
Mark.
What I'm really most concerned with is getting dull coat on the glass when I'm done with the weathering. Any idea if dull coat would soak through painters tape?
-Joe
I haven't tested it out in a long time, but IIRC masking tape is fine. I haven't tried painter's tape.
If you're weathering, maybe take the opportunity and use slide cover glass to re-glaze the windows. Looks like glass 'cause it is. Or just reuse the plastic.
That's a good idea ^^
-Joe
Painters tape would do the trick if you want to just mask the windows off. I've used it for masking off patched out reporting marks on cars before.
Sweet. I'll give it a go and be sure to report back my findings
-Joe
There are liquid maskers available. I have used it on many occasions. You could use it to cover the glazing and when the paint work is complete, use the tip of an Xacto knife to remove the masking. I believe there are a few manufacturers who offer it. One name that comes to mind is "Magic Masker". When dry, it is like soft latex that is easily removed.
There are liquid maskers available. I have used it on many occasions. You could use it to cover the glazing and when the paint work is complete, use the tip of an Xacto knife to remove the masking. I believe there are a few manufacturers who offer it. One name that comes to mind is "Magic Masker". When dry, it is like soft latex that is easily removed.
That's a neat masking solution! I've got some engine and caboose to do one day and may just give that stuff a try.
If you're airbrushing the dullcoat it won't seep through at all providing you have the tape firmly adhered. I have had brush paint seep a tiny bit around the edges because there's just more volume there, but never had any problem with airbrush that wasn't my own fault in not properly sealing the tape edges.
I used petroleum jelly on the windows
When it dried i wiped off the windows
What I'm really most concerned with is getting dull coat on the glass when I'm done with the weathering. Any idea if dull coat would soak through painters tape?
-Joe
I have never seen clean caboose windows. A light coating of Dullcoat will nicely simulate years of accumulated dirt and grunge on the windows.
Joe
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