Fruit Growers Express RBL Part 2: Primer and Paint

 

Paint and primer, while not overly exciting can lead to exhaustive conversations about color, hue, lighting, photographic degradation, film equipment used, etc..... It's safe to say that your eye, prototype documents, and a color photograph will often get you close, if not exact. Since SCL 590513 was constructed well after the advent of color film, we have an ample amount of information to use in the painting of the model. The above prototype photograph courtesy of G. Elwood's Fallenflags website, shows that the steel RBLs were often staged and painted in large groups. Leroy Dozier captured this image in Alexandria, VA on September 5th, 1965.

Following construction, the model was washed with warm soapy water, rinsed and allowed to air dry. The model was then grit blasted and washed a second time to eliminate any residual oils and remaining grit from the car components. The application of Tamiya light gray primer was applied to the components and this was allowed to dry. To keep the components properly oriented, I label the respective colors so that should I be consumed by lacquer fumes, I won't forget which color to apply. 

After the primer dried for at least 24 hours, the model was then airbrushed using Floquil Reefer Yellow, Old Silver, and Oxide Red. The light gray primer lends itself to well to the application of these colors and gives an appropriate color representation of the final shade. 

The Floquil paint was applied at 20 PSI using multiple light coats so as to minimize any build up. The model was then overcoated with Testors Glosscote once the Floquil no longer smelled. The car is currently awaiting decals using the Kohlberg FGE SE-22 and SE-24 sets.

If you look closely at the edges of the roof, you can see the application of yellow to the eaves. When airbrushing the roof, it is important to apply a few passes of the carbody color to the edges to represent overspray. Floquil Reefer Yellow is an interesting color as it typically varies when applied over a white, gray and red primer base. Following the successful application of my previous FGE car, I used Tamiya light gray primer as it yielded an acceptable color representation.

The prototype cars used a rich Chromate based yellow which was often applied over a red zinc primer. The gray used on the model also provides a rich yellow color, however, I have not explored the possibilities of using a red zinc primer similar to the prototype, but it will provide some interesting contrast to the model if I am able to locate an additional kit. 

An unidentified FGE car was captured in Alexandria, Virginia by Leroy Dozier in August 1967 which demonstrates the primer application applied to the steel components of the car. The prototype appears to be a later production car with alternative center riveting on the opposing side of the support posts which became commonplace during the steel era of the late 1960s. Of note the roof has not been applied, likely due to the pending insulation of the exterior structure.

One of my favorite colors for underframe components, truck and side frame components and wheel faces is Rustoleum Camouflage brown. This is a "spray bomb" can available at your local hardware store, but it dries completely flat and is an acceptable representation of the old Floquil Roof Brown. The underframe, trucks, and draft gear were painted and installed once the paint dried. The draft gear was painted with Floquil Oxide and gives an interesting contrast, but follows the prototype.

The next post will detail the application of Dan Kohlberg's excellent decals and final construction of the car and details.