Weathering Trucks and Wheels

[wheeler1963]

I was asked about weathering trucks and wheels on freight cars. I've put together a tutorial on how I do mine. So without further ado.....

Here's the trucks and metal wheel sets fresh out of the box.

First step on the trucks is a coat of Floquils grimey black.

Here's the trucks and wheel sets painted with rust. The trucks and the 8 wheel sets got Floquils rust. The other 4 wheel sets got sprayed with a custom mix of Floquils rust/orange for that fresh light rust color.

And here is the 6 completed truck assemblies. The axles with the bright rust colored wheels have the bearing caps painted with Floquils ConRail blue to simulate new bearings installed.

 

[diburning]

cool! thanks for the tutorial!

 

[UP2CSX]

Nice, Jerome, an easy way to weather trucks that would look good on even a relatively new locomotive.

 

[ChevelleSSguy]

Are you using primer before applying the grimey black?

 

[wheeler1963]

Chris,

No primer needed. Grimey black, Rust overspray, then dull coat.

 

[stang_crazy]

hmm the 2nd pic where ya say its grimey black looks like primer to me??

 

[wheeler1963]

Floquils grimey black.

 

[Steel Wheels]

the "new" blue bearing caps are a nice touch.

 

[wheeler1963]

the "new" blue bearing caps are a nice touch.

along with the blue bearing caps, the lighter color on the wheels makes it seem like the axle has just been replaced. kinda a neat visual.

 

[jbaakko]

Nice work Jerome! Pretty much the same process I use. Though I sometime skip the grimy black and rust spray and opt for a thin (75% thinner 25% paint) coat of some tan or brown.

I'm gonna try your method too, for some variance in my trucks...

 

[The Minuteman]

Thank you Jerome, I will put your work to good use and make my stuff look that much better. When I get a few cars done, I will post the befores and after to get your opinion.

 

[The Minuteman]

I forgot to ask, What wheel sets are those in the photo? The nice chrome wheel finish is a great detail.

 

[wheeler1963]

Scotty, just some Life-Like 33" wheels. Around $8 for a 12 pack.

 

[The Minuteman]

Thank you for the info, I will look into it.