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Forum,
I am satisfied with all of the track and wiring on my layout and am ready to airbrush the track. I have already installed Caboose Industries switch throws though. Can these be painted or should they be masked and left black? Thanks,
conrailocs
I guess you could paint them, but the type of plastic that they are won't hold paint well. You may as well save the time and effort and leave them as is.
I've painted the red and green sides of the throw handles on mine then used powders to flatten the plastic shine using black and rust colors to grime them and rust them up a little. They blend in a lot better looking now.
David
I've painted the red and green sides of the throw handles on mine then used powders to flatten the plastic shine using black and rust colors to grime them and rust them up a little. They blend in a lot better looking now.
David
OK, thanks. How do you seal the powders on? Dullcote?
David, I've done the same thing, painting one side red, or yellow and the other green. I haven't bothered with trying to "weather" them anymore, as all the "switch machines" that I've seen growing up, and even now, have been well maintained, and most I would say had more grease on them than rust.
Once you have the track painted, ballasted and scenery installed along your track, the unpainted ground throws will not be an issue. The others are correct the plastic with not hold paint very well and I think that in the long run you'll be happy that you left the ground throws unpainted.
Thanks.
Greg
After I applied the powders on mine I didn't seal it at all. Dullcote or anything like it would have caused problems with the movements, possibly locking them up. Since the only part of the throw that is touched is the handle it self not sealing them hasn't been an issue.
David
Once you have the track painted, ballasted and scenery installed along your track, the unpainted ground throws will not be an issue. The others are correct the plastic with not hold paint very well and I think that in the long run you'll be happy that you left the ground throws unpainted.
Thanks.
Greg
Thanks! I'll do that.
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