This thread was started in May, 2025
Karl.A
May 2025 edited May 2025 in Painting Castings
On a recent trip to Dallas I was fortunate enough to receiveand bring home several random boxes of the incredible Sierrawest resin detail parts and some metal mixed in, Here are a few of the boxes I brought back.
I haven’t been able to model much over the past couple of years, and not at all over the past 9 months.
Hopefully working on some of these will ease me back into it, just on the painting/weathering side of things to start with and get me going again.
As there are many duplicates I might do some videos of the process for different ones.
So let me know if you want to see anything done in a VIDEO.
First thing I decided to do was to sort out the castings into groups and store them in trays so I could see what I had.
Once all the larger castings were pulled out and organised this is what was left in the boxes.
These smaller items were then separated and put into trays also.
Now it is time to start working through the trays and painting these beauties.
Comments
Karl.A
May 2025
I decided to start with one of the classic castings, not seen often but a beautiful casting.
This appeared in the Mill Engine and Boilerhouse kit which was Brett’s first kit in O scale, I’m not sure where else it was offered.
After choosing my first victim it was time to drill some holes and insert the toothpicks to use as handles.
The castings were then spraed flat black from a rattlecan as they represented mostly metal.
Next was picking out some of the beautiful detail. Using craft paint I picked out the bottles in green, a can in blue and some various macinery parts in shades of brown.
Once the colours were dry I highlighted the metal parts by dry brushing them with reaper ‘tarnished steel’
The exterior of the steel buckets was then dry brushed with tarnished steel also to give a metal look.
It doesnt show up well in this pic but later on you can see the effect when it is back in the tray better.
Even though they wont be used yet I chalked a couple of them with 411.3 to give them a rust effect and show the result.
Parts back in the box and time to decide which one to do next…
Decisions, decisions…
ALCOALCO
May 2025
Your appearances on the Forum are always appreciated. Looks like you haven’t lost a step. I want to see you finish everyone of those castings!
Kevin L
June 2025
Love to see a video of how you go about your work.
Robert.G
June 2025
You fell into Ali Baba’s cave, the Horn of Plenty !!! Good to see you back my friend !!
Jerry
June 2025
Well you didn’t lose your touch. Good to see you back at work here.
Jerry
Scott E
June 2025
@Karl.A fortuitous timing with your post. Started Dueling Shacks and currently at the “castings” phase. Got them primed so now with Brett’s detailed instructions combined with your work makes this a tad less intimidating. Thank you!
Jim M
June 2025
Karl, great tutorial. Love the result. Thanks.
TomMich
June 2025
WOW! A treasure of detail parts! SW castings are the best available. I miss some of the resin parts that Brett made, especially the shelves that came in different sizes and configurations.
KKarns
June 2025
Wow Karl, you hit the mother load! Beautiful finish on those steel pails full of parts. Amazing stuff.
vietnamseabee
June 2025
Karl…good to “see you , buddy”…I thought perhaps you moved back to “the old country “…i wonder what kind of terrif (sp) you would have generated!!! ;-))
terry
minion
June 2025
Karl, personally , I think you are just plain greedy having all those castings. You should paint a whole load up and sell them as “Karl Originals”, I reckon you could clean up . I would have happily spent good money buying one of Kevin’s masterpieces and yours are just as good . You could give up the painting and decorating lark and bash a few dozen out in an evening !
Finished the Loco and Service Shops and waiting patiently for the Riverfront to make an appearance.
Nick
Dwaine46
June 2025
Fantastic Karl, you started a refresher course at the right time. Am just fixing to start the castings on the Foundry… Don’t stop now !!!
mvs
June 2025
Kevin L said:
Love to see a video of how you go about your work.
I am new to the hobby. I too would love to see a video of how you go about painting/weathering these castings.
MuddyCreekRR
June 2025
a vast treasure trove of details…modelers gold
TravisS
June 2025
Thanks for this Karl. You make it look so easy!
Joel
June 2025
Wow what a collection. I’m glad they are in such good hands. Always love following your work. So much inspiration.
glandesjr
June 2025
Hi Karl:
Your painting is awesome and you share great tips. You got more castings than Brett Just kidding). I love the way you did the buckets. Looks great. I store my castings the same way you do, just don’t have as many. Great tutorial so thanks.
randyp
June 2025
Karl, Glad to see you back on the forum. Looking forward to see you modeling again. Randy