Double Decaling

[jhilden]

I was perusing over some railroad books and noticed a diesel that intrigued me. It was a Conrail ex-Penn Central SD40. The locomotive was black with a cheap paint job covering the PC markings and logo and replaced with “CR”. It appeared that a few spray cans of Krylon were used for the job so the PC logo was showing’ faded but noticably visible. I was born in 1973 and I have early memories of seeing these units as a kid along the former PRR Mainline; so I have interest in one day modeling one of these units –but not for a long time as I have many projects on queue.

My question is, how would you apply the decals to simulate the cheap and weather beaten paint job? I assume you would do the following:

Paint and prep with proper sheen for decaling

Apply the PC decals

Seal PC decal with a clear coat

Apply a weak coat of paint resembling the cheap job slightly covering the PC logo

Apply another coat to prepare the “CR” decal

Then apply another coat of paint to seal in the new applied decal

Would this be the process? What are some of the other techniques used?

BTW, I have to confess that I never weathered a model.

[graftonterminalrr]

You pretty much accurately described a good process, but it's a little overly done.

Start with the SD40 and do whatever detailing you wish to do. Then, paint and decal the unit as normal (using a glossy paint for optimal decal adhesion) for a PC locomotive. However, if you like, you could always start with a factory decorated PC unit and then have at it.

If you wish, you can now add a gloss clear coat to seal the decals, although this is not necessary.

Weather the model to represent heavy use.

Now, spray a very light coat of black over your decals to represent "peeling paint". You do not have to spray the entire unit. Rather, you'll want to emulate the prototype. Mask off most of the now-weathered locomotive, so all that is visible is the PC logos, and mask as close as possible. Using your airbush or spray can, make a light coat over the logos, and vary the light and dark spots to represent an old, "bleeding-through" logo.

Once this is done, remove your masking and apply the CR decals.

Now, do your dull coat to seal your decals and weathering.


Let me give you an idea of what you're after. This photo was taken in 2006 and represents what has to be the last original PC paint job still extant on a locomotive:

[gtw4633]

I'd be afraid to set food on that locomotive...