DCC Portal

Painting your model train set can be a fun and rewarding experience. Being able to customize your own paint jobs means that your trains will have a unique style all their own. Learning to paint is not very difficult, and the best way to learn is to try it yourself! This short guide will outline some of the methods involved in the process of painting model trains.

Air brushing will provide the base coat for your trains and the scenery that they travel through. This base coat provides the ability to come back later and apply more detailed accents later on. When painting with airbrushes it is important to remember proper safety procedures, which include ventilation and hand protection. Wearing latex gloves makes clean up a snap, you just take off the gloves and throw them in the trash. It is also important to wear a ventilator mask to avoid inhaling and noxious paint fumes.

The technique of air brushing is that of light strokes over the general area. Do not try to get to close or detailed with your air brushing, that is the job of paint brushes. After applying a general coat to your trains and letting them dry, it is time to apply more specific details. Invest in high quality paint, you will not regret spending a little bit more money when you see the results. High quality pigments also will last longer and will not fade as fast as lower quality paints.

When using a paint brush to apply details, use acrylic paint and take your time. The most important thing about this type of detail work is patience. You will no doubt make mistakes as you start, but don’t worry! No mistake is permanent and solvents will erase any mistake you make so you can try again.