Over the weekend I managed to get the GHQ Log Loader painted. I learnt the hard way not to prime anything you want to paint yellow, with grey primer. It took around 10 coats of paint to build up the opacity of the yellow paint. Next time I will prime with white. I even painted the figure in the kit. So far this poor soul is the only figure on the layout. I guess he will have to run the locomotives and do switchman duties also. Maybe I should get some some other workers to help him with his workload.
I painted the hydraulic cylinder pistons silver using a silver Sharpie marker. It covered in one coat and with no paint build up that would make them appear even thicker. I did a bit of weathering on the radiator grills and wheels. I may weather it a bit more, but I don't want to over do it. Tom Patterson asked how big the loader is, so I included a couple of photos of the loader on my cutting mat which has inch graduations. The loader is 1" wide by 3 3/4" long including the grip forks. This was one of the most rewarding projects I have worked on for the layout. So much so that I'm going to order a GHQ front end loader kit.
Very nice! You've gotten me seriously considering a GQ kit in future!
ReplyDeleteDid you tape off and paint the tires after painting the body yellow?
ReplyDeleteGreg I painted the Wheels before gluing them to the frame. The hubs were painted first then masked with circles I cut from masking tape. To make the circles I use a drafting circle template to guide my knife. Then I painted the tires black.
DeleteThe opacity of yellow paint is dependent upon the paint manufacturer. I've had great success with Scalecoat paint in that regard. It is lacquer based which some people can't/won't deal with, but I swear by it, while I swear at acrylics.
ReplyDeleteNice model work though.
Pierre thanks for the comment. I use Valleo model air and Tru-colour paints. I love the bottles the Valleo come in, no stuck lids or drying out. I once bought a bottle of Scalecoat only for it to be found dried out a month or so after I got around to using it. I should give them a try again as I have only heard good reviews. Any suggestions for needle size or air pressure.
DeleteRyan, I've recently discovered your blog and just wanted to let you know that I'm enjoying it very much. It has been fun and educational for me. Do you know what shrub or tree you harvested to model your pulpwood stack at trackside? It has a very realistic look to it. I've saved last season's Christmas tree as I'd read they make a good pulpwood source, but I think the bark color is a bit too light. I guess though it depends on what type of wood you're modeling too. Did you use Lou Sassi's ground goop recipe for the mud in the loadout area? Anyways, fantastic winter look and your photo backdrop looks superbly done. The efforts you made to blend the photo backdrop to modeled scene are excellent.
ReplyDeletePreston,
DeleteThanks for the comments and kind words. The pulpwood is made from what ever travels home with my son from the kinder garden play ground. If it has smooth bark it will work, cut them up on the chopper and put them in the oven to dry out for a hour or so at 150 degrees.
The mud is just dirt, paint and white glue.
Great job on the log loader Ryan, I have one of the GHQ kits for my Paper & Pulp Mill and will use this for reference. Great layout too. Jas...
ReplyDeleteJas,
DeleteThanks for the kind words. I just checked out your blog, lots of great stuff about signalling and your layout building is awesome..
Ryan