Over one weekend, I changed the color and look of this 2-axle side board freight car (Märklin article number 4728) from this

to this

Honing My Weathering Skills

No, I did it not out of frustration but have long planned since I weathered the Baureihe 74 tank locomotive. I want to practise on a freight car where there are more interesting things to model and weather.

After removing the components of the freight car, I gave them a light soapy bath and dried overnight,

Using modelling masking tape, I covered that areas that I want to retain and airbrushed the rest of the wagon with a matching dull orange tone. I used AK Interactive Orange Brown mixed with Vallejo Sand Brown. You can see the parts that are being covered with the tape.

Using paint brush, I smudged the walls with dull orange including on the previously covered parts. This is to give a light weathering on those sections. This is the first layer treatment.

Heavy Weathering

After overnight drying, I used Vallejo Wood Grain and airbrushed over the entire car. Again, I used masking tape to cover the areas what I want the first orange layer to remain. This creates that effect that the wagon recevied heavy rework.

As a result, the freight car has progressed from shiny orange to purple brown (?)

Enter Perry the Platypus

So what next? After searching for photos of the side board car, I found one with Perry the Platypus graffiti. I told myself I want it on the wagon. And so, Perry was on the wagon. Using the photo as guide, I used paint brush to paint Perry on the wagon. I did not draw any outllines before hand. I just did it directly on the wagon. I took my time to draw each part. I was my first attempt with graffiti, just like any other weathering work and projects you read on my blog. Always the first time.

In the end, I am very happy with the result. More than what I imagine it to be. Each long side of the wagon has different patchworks and graffitis.

Beside all the 4 walls, the bogies and undercarriage also received appropriate rust weathering using Vallejo German Camo Black Brown, Sand Brown and Burn Oxide pigment.

I need to weather the roof, complete some touch-ups and give it a finishing protection vanish.

Possible Auction to Support a Children Hospital

I am considering conducting an online auction to sell this wagon to the highest bidder and donate the proceed to support the Bethel children hospital in Bielefeld, Germany. I donated to the Bethel foundation annually for a few year now and thought that through this action, people all over the world can help you.

Watch out for the announcement!