SAR NG-V2 brake van painting

[Martin Shaw]

Currently on the workbench is this brakevan which is at least one first for me in that it is laser cut ply. Actually it is also my first non UK prototype. It started life as a standard SAR narrow gauge V2 brakevan. This particular vehicle was rebuilt at Humewood for the Apple Express and is to my eye rather attractive if simple.
The kit is produced by Resurgam Rolling Stock of North Wales by a youngish man who deserves a big pat on the back. It is very well drawn and laser cut, at least I assume so as I've nothing to judge it by. Structurally 3mm with 0.8mm overlays it is something of a revelation, all the parts fit without any adjustment, and if your used to typical etched brass kits you'll realise quite how radical that statement is. Sticking the bits together is a pleasant exercise and using a quick grab wood glue means progress is quick enough. The basic body box was really no more than an evenings work with suitable bits of steel to weigh things down where necessary. It is to 16mm scale so I think easy enough to produce, whether it is a material and technique that lends itself to smaller scales I don't know, some comment would be interesting.

Thoughts turn to painting it in the off white and red oxide favoured at least on the Avontuur line. I have decided that acrylics are the way to go for all the obvious reasons however a question arises about primer. Do you, and if so what? I also intend to brush paint it with the presumption of a reasonable expectation of a respectable finish, is my thinking misplaced. If anyone has anything to add to the basic premise of the thread I for one would be interested.
Martin

 

[simond]

I think I’d wait for a dry, warmish day (there may yet be some before Christmas) and treat it to a couple of coats of Halfords' best rattle can. The red oxide primer is hopefully a good match, and the white gives good cover and seems pretty opaque.

My 16mm stock was largely wooden, and was mostly treated thus, though I did use sanding sealer in some cases.

I appreciate that this is not the simplest of acrylic approaches…. But it will dry pretty quickly, and can then be weathered and detailed indoors.