Too shiney and new

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

Why do builders finish their locomotives as if they have just come out of the paint shop at Crewe.

I've yet to see a loco that is weathered and worn, far more realistic than the shiney and new showcase models that people build.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

For the same reason that they won't drill a hole in their Myford to fasten a much needed piece of equipment ?

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

I can understand the desire to put a perfect finish on the object you have spent so much time creating. To distress the finished article really seems to go against all you have bee trying to acheive for all those hours (years). That said the best models Iv'e seen and certainly the ones I look at for longest at shows are the one where the model engineer has done just that. Not making it look battered about but really trying to understand the loco or traction engine in use. Foot steps and hand hold worn shiny by usage of crews odd corners uncleaned where it's difficult to get a rag in. Paint knocked of on corners that get hit by shovels, oil cans or lumps of coal and the detritus of daily use. These are the things that make a model come alive to me… Anyone else feel this way?

[Geoff RogersParticipant @geoffrogers81118]

bright and shiney so it can go back into the house after running, I suppose.

I have drilled holes in my Myford and cut/bent spanners for restricted access.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

People who have the patience and the attention span which allows them to build complicated things often also have a thing about attention to detail

So mucking something up goes against the grain

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

"People who have the patience and the attention span which allows them to build complicated things often also have a thing about attention to detail"

Surely simulated rust around the chimney base or lime scale around the steam dome is just as much detail and more accurate than a highly polished back head or mirror finished paint job.

Edited By Eric Cox on 08/07/2013 10:00:24

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Surely if they start off shiney and new they will "mature" to " weathered and worn" over time? Whenever I've bought a new ( or "new" S/H) car it starts off shiney and new and I try to keep it looking like that. In a very short time I give up and it looks "comfortably used". Why should models be any different? I've never found a need to simulate rust as that seems to happen automatically.

Norman

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The methods used to weather models are not that durable so would be hard to keep intact on a loco that was used regularly. I've seen it done on other models such as this hit & miss engine and this guy did WD colours on his TE though not covered in mud

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

It is also 'custom and practice'. In model railways and model boats it is a recognised option to produce a weathered model and be duly credited for the achievement in exhibitions. In ME it simply isn't normal. Perhaps due to the fact that often full size they did endevour to roll a loco out of the shops in imaculate contidion (mainline not shunter) or a Victorian waterworks would be made as a marbled hall with a polished brass beam engine inside.

Just look at the equivalent today – do Airbus deliver you a new jet with pre-applied oil leaks?

[Anonymous]

Posted by Bazyle on 08/07/2013 11:37:13:

Just look at the equivalent today – do Airbus deliver you a new jet with pre-applied oil leaks?

Sadly if it's got Rolls Royce engines then the answer is probably yes.

Andrew

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Perhaps the same reason some people will take a well-preserved, running, vintage motorbike or car and "restore" it with a standard of chrome, paint and polished aluminium even brighter and shinier than it left the factory with.

Some people just like to make bright and shiny things. Others like them worn and comfortable.

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hi Eric ,

Not so much why do builders choose to finish their engines all bright and shiny but more why do small engines look disproportionately shiny and bright relative to real engines .

This is mostly down to various scaling and real and perceived optical effects model v full size ..

These include :

The relative coarseness of finish on bright parts – especially things like con rods and flywheel rims

The relative matt / gloss levels of paint .

The different appearance of large areas of any chosen finish against small areas of same finish .

Viewing distance and viewing subtended angle .

Play of light and refections of parts and surrounding scenery .

That's a few first thoughts but several more effects are probably involved .

Regards ,

MikeW

Edited By MICHAEL WILLIAMS on 08/07/2013 13:20:36

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Maybe Mike but if you've spent months (nay – years! – or even years and years) working away at something maybe you prefer it to LOOK nice at the end – I know I do. Shiny always appeals to me more that dull.

If you are driven by the need to compete for prizes and "authenticity" gains extra points then I guess you have to follow that path but how many folk ARE driven by competition? I do this for "ME" and if I'm satisfied then thats what I seek – which brings me back to shiney!

Would I drill a hole in my Myford? – I'd much rather not – so I'd seek a workaround if possible. When you do stuff for a living like John S then the drivers are different.

Norman

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

mine looks well weathered and I only just finished it…looks like it was painted by an idiot…..ah!!

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I prefer models to look at least vaguely like the real think Boatbuilders are the worst offenders – brass railing replace rusty, may-times painted iron with a texture like 'The Thing' from the Fantatstic Four.

My shunter looked like a toy as originally painted, I had to matt it down, but I still fee like adding 'rust'. It also showed up the tiniest flaws, while with a matt finish they just look like part of teh 'character'. Excuse the poor colour balance on these shots.

Neil

Before:

After:

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Can’t paint for toffee.
Would only paint for functional benifit. Admire the skills shown on pristine effect and again in weathered effect. Remember the praise that the “Lived in” look of starwars models attracted in the day
But you models your choice. Good luck to you

The

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