Weathering
Mark’s Trains is now in a position to undertake full bespoke commissions to convert your locomotive or multiple unit to DCC/DCC Sound along with other extras (as listed on this website) and also provide weathering to produce an outstanding completed model that looks and sounds as close to realistic as the real thing. I can also renumber, name and add full buffer beam detail if required at extra cost. Weathering can also be undertaken as a stand alone service on any model you wish to weather, be it analogue DC trains or model vehicles. This weathering service is available for all scales, and a quote will be given upon enquiry as this kind of work varies depending on your requirements.
Below you will find an explanation of the three weathering packages offered and the extent of weathering undertaken within each package. I can also renumber, name and add full buffer beam detail if required at extra cost. Laser etched name plates can also be ordered through me, in various gauges, colours and styles. Please contact me for a quote.
Weathering portfolio
Have a look through my weathering portfolio to see some great examples of weathering previously undertaken.
Below you will see the various stages of my weathering service, simply choose from the weathering packages available and then the extent of weathering required. Armed with this information I will be able to give you an accurate quote upon receiving an enquiry.
1 – Weathering packages
Basic package (single stage process)
Applied with an airbrush only with four colours used; frame dirt, brake dust, roof dirt & matt black. This is the most basic weathering service provided.
Standard package (3 stage process)
Applied with both airbrush and hand brush using the same four colours above, plus any other colours as per prototype photos supplied. Body side oil streaks are applied during this process.
Complete package (5 stage process)
An initial wash of colours (depending on prototype photos supplied) and then the same application as per the above Standard 3 stage process. Then finished by hand to pick out rust areas and other fine details.
2 – Extent of weathering
Light weathering
A very light dusting by air brush of frame dirt, brake dust, roof dirt and matt black, and picking out by hand of relieved small detail, i.e. around marker light recesses, around roof panels, horn grilles etc. No body side streaking or fuel/coolant leaks are applied with this level of weathering.
Medium weathering
A light wash of roof dirt is applied by hand first to pick out all the recesses and detail lines. Minimum cant level streaking is applied at this level of weathering, as is minimal body side streaking. Using the same selection of colours as above a heavier application is applied. The same level of hand picked fine detail is also applied during this process. Minimal applications to represent fuel/coolant leaks can be applied if required.
Heavy weathering
A light wash of roof dirt is applied by hand, as with medium weathering, to pick out all the recesses and detail lines on the roof and around the body-side grilles. Then a layer of light weathering is applied and then rubbed off which leaves heavy staining around all the panels, grilles, etc. An application of heavy weathering is then applied which allows the remaining layer of light weathering to be seen through this subsequent layer to give a Heavy look to the finish. The same level of streaking as medium weathering is also applied except the cant rail and body-side streaking is more pronounced and more widespread, along with the same hand picked fine details. If appropriate a final stage of colours are applied to represent fuel/coolant leaks etc. on the roof, body-sides and chassis.
3 – Finishing touches
Once the paint has been allowed to harden and dry over a few days inside a heated cupboard, two coats of varnish are applied to protect the weathered finish. A final finishing touch is the addition of grease on the face of the buffer heads, if this is required.
After the varnish has dried and cured over a couple of days inside the heated cupboard, the wheels and pick-ups receive a quick clean to remove any stray paint/varnish which may have unavoidably landed in these areas. As a final check your model is then tested on a rolling road to ensure that it still operates, proving that any stray paint/varnish has been totally removed.
Your model is now ready to send back to you, so that you can admire the fine weathering undertaken.
As a side note, you can probably appreciate the drying time required between coats of paint or varnish. As such weathering can potentially take a long time (up to four weeks or possibly longer) to complete depending on the level of service required, and this also varies between models and current work load.
For maximum efficiency weathering is undertaken in batches (same colour applied to several models at a time), and between conversions and other work booked in to the workshop. It is for this reason that weathering work is booked in to a separate order book and customer’s models are generally not formed in a queue as they are with conversions.
This is to allow maximum efficiency within the spray booth and to reduce customer waiting times overall (compared to weathering models piecemeal). So please do not expect your model to be completed in the same amount of time as a DCC conversion, however all attempts are made to get your model weathered as quickly as possible – without rushing the paint and compromising on quality of course!
To book your model in for weathering please click the button below to contact me, where we will then discuss your exact requirements so a quote can be given to you.