Weathering a GP40

This afternoon I thought I'd have a go at weathering Jack's GP40. (I hope he doesn't mind... )

So what did I need before starting... First up is some photos, the more the merrier as locos weather in different ways.

Secondly some Humbrol Maskol, clear matt spray (Boyles Finishing Sealer), some paper and tape, a few weathering powders, paint brushes, air brush and isopropyl alcohol. Now I'm ready to get stuck in... First up, I applied Maskol to all windows, lights, and any other warning signage alongside the loco.


Then I covered over the wheels with paper using sticky tape to hold in position on the bottom of the bogies.


I then took the model outside and gave it a once over with the matt spray. This I left for an hour to cure before proceeding.

A good selection of photographs of GP40s was downloaded and printed out as a weathering guide.

I have a selection of 8 x Carrs weathering powders. I only use about five of these colours and they are Orange Rust, Red Rust, Black, Light Grey and Dust (Tan).

The first application of powders are a mix of red rust, orange rust and black. This makes a very dirty rusty grime colour, perfect for the bogies, fuel tank, walkways and cab roof.

To apply I dip my brush into the Isopropyl Alcohol then pick up a small amount of powders. This is brushed onto the bogies, fuel tank, walkways and dabbed onto the cab roof.

Next up was the blackening of the steps. Again, the same principle was used as desribed above, but using the black sparingly.

Dry white powder (no isopropyl) was applied over the body sides of the long and short hood and the cab sides. I followed this up with a spray of isopropyl alcohol via the air brush to set the powders into the matt coat. Once this had dried, practically seconds as the isopropyl evaporated quick quickly, black powder was dusted over the long and short hoods, working it into the recesses of the doors and heavier into the grills and just below them. Again, a burst from the air brush secured the black in place.

Now to the roof. Using some of the brown/black as applied to the bogies etc, this was dabbed over the length of the roof top, avoiding the cooling fans. Once applied, a burst over the top with the air brush was done.

I followed up with some light grey, mostly around the exhaust and sparingly along the roof top and yes, this was followed by a blast from the air brush.

Once I had finished applying the powders across the model, another spray from the air brush was done for the final time. This time I sprayed from the top, sides, ends and upwards from underneath, just to make sure I had secured the powders.

The last job to do was to remove the Maskol from the model and reveal the clean windows, lights, signage etc. Job done..., now a few pics of the finished loco...



I have just noticed in this pic above that I haven't removed all the Maskol... No loco numbers or marker lamps visible !!

Cheers, Gary.

ps, I will be applying more black as a wash over the long hood doors, as they are not that clearly defined with muck !

 

ianvolvo46 wrote:

I wondered how the image would come up in black & white..., so...



Cheers, Gary.

ps, might weather some rolling stock tonight....

 

Thanks Ed.

You could say that it is a timely showing, considering the Weathering Wrangle we have going right now...

Regardless of it being a locomotive, the same techniques can be used for wagons, coaches, anything really.

Cheers, Gary.

 

Thanks all, much appreciated. Although I didn't expect PotW, but thank you anyway.

Cheers, Gary.

 

Using the same methods on the GP40, I have weathered the S4 shunter...





Above, camera focused on the front/cab. Below, camera focused on the long hood...



Cheers, Gary.

 

Just had another look at the loco and you're right, it could do with a little dulling down.

Cheers, Gary.