I managed to finalize the painting and applied to decals to the FRH wagon I was working on late last year. I applied a coat of etch primer and then a coat of grey enamel over that from an aerosol can. I can’t remember applying the top coat to many models with an aerosol enamel in my time modelling. The paint was full gloss and the reason I used an aerosol can is that at the moment using my compressor and air brush is a bit difficult, especially at night with only limited time to set up. I purchased the cans I used for the top coat from Bunnings and looking at this photo my judgement is that the colour is a couple of shades lighter than that which is on the cap. I need a dark charcoal grey and this is a mid grey and not really dark enough.
Other than the shade of grey this test was reasonably successful. The paint covered well, it was convenient to use, retailed for about $8 a can and there’s probably enough left in the can to do about two more wagons. I used a full gloss which provided a great base for the decals (available from O-Aust) and then I dulled this down with Dullcoat. This also came out of an aerosol can. I’m not all that concerned about the lightish colour, I can darken it down with some Weathered black and powders. I’d like to track down a darker full gloss spray enamel in an aerosol so anyone with a suggestion is welcome to post a comment.
Trevor;
As to the lightness of colour of the FRH, to my memory the body colour is about right for a car in service for about 5 years. With weathering I think that the car will look even more right. I do agree though that the trucks and under car areas need to be darkened, but again with weathering I think that you’ll find that the car comes up ‘exactly right’ for the period you are modelling.
I remember seeing these opposite platform 1 and 2 at blacktown in the mid 1970s through to mid 1980 and the gunmetal always lightened in service (as expected) to a very dusty medium grey fairly quickly. Ah the good old days with a 48 class idling on the goods loops near platform 2.
Happy memories. Not much use on the CV as I don’t remember ever seeing these in service. But once again with some weathering and general grime I think that you’ll find a much better eye appeal.
Regards
Andrew