CEMENT WAGONS
STEP BY STEP
1 Apart from picking out individual planks, a similar approach was taken with Accurascale’s ‘Cemflo’ cement wagons. After unclipping the tanks from the chassis, they were treated to a coat of MIG Brown enamel wash.
2 Again, the wash was brushed on and most of it wiped away with swabs. The grey areas of the chassis were also treated, with a little Black wash added to the mix. Tamiya’s small swabs are great for reaching into nooks and crannies.
3 After an overnight break, the wheels were removed before the tanks and chassis were sprayed with a matt varnish. These wagons are destined for a heavy coating of dry pigments, so a flat matt surface is essential.
4 When the clear coat has dried, a mix of dark grey and brown acrylic paints, plus Dark Earth dry pigment, was brushed over the lower areas of the chassis frames. A gentle stippling action worked the paint around all the equipment.
5 After an hour or so, a variety of grey and earth brown dry pigments were applied liberally over the chassis, concentrated around the discharge chute. The different shades were built up in layers using a dry, flat brush.
6 For heavier deposits of dust, a Pigment Fixer solution was mixed with the dry powder and the solution stippled into deeper recesses and platform ends of the chassis, especially around the vacuum cylinders.
7 Several layers of the grey, brown and cream dry pigments were brushed over the tank barrel, working from around the filler hatches and using downward strokes with a flat brush in order to create streaking effects.
8 It took about half a dozen separate applications to achieve the desired effects, brushing away the loose powder. The work surface – and my hands – got very messy by this point!
Be careful not to inhale the fine dust.
9 With all loose powder brushed away, a stiffer brush (an old toothbrush will do) can impart some extra texture and streaking effects. Keep strokes in a vertical direction, to mimic the effects of rain and gravity.
10 After reuniting the barrel and chassis, any discrepancies in appearance can be addressed with more pigment. A further coat of matt varnish will seal the finish. Re-fit the cleaned wheels and the wagons are ready for service.