Beginner’s guide to airbrushing

Photo of man painting HO scale diesel locomotive in spray booth.

In my 20-plus years with Model Railroader magazine, I’ve written several how-to articles on airbrushing. Some have focused on using the tool to re-create models you can’t find on the shelf, such as “How to paint multi-color locomotives” in the September 2013 issue. Others, including “How to weather coal hoppers” in December 2012, have demonstrated […]

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How to strip paint from plastic models

Piece of a train car being dipped in chemicals and scrubbed with a toothbrush

Eric White couldn’t find a Northeastern style caboose painted for the Lehigh Valley, but a vendor at a train show had several models in another paint scheme. In less than an hour, Eric had a model that was ready for new paint. Watch this video to see how he stripped the original paint. VIDEO TRANSCRIPT […]

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How-to Library: Installing a portable spray booth

David Popp holding a spray booth.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Want the freedom to paint and weather your models safely and easily in your basement? MRVP’s David Popp shows how to make that possible by installing a fold-up spray booth from Micro-Mark.  Follow along as he talks you through the entire process — […]

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How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 6

Cody modeling a GP7.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Cody now turns his attention from the Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter cars to the locomotive used to haul them! Ride along with Cody as he works to model a GP7 featuring all of the right details and weathering effects […]

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How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 5

Cody reassembling the Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter car.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Cody continues reassembling the Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter car, before hauling them off to the spray booth to add realistic weathering effects. Pick up a copy of Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2019, to read the printed instructions of Cody’s […]

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How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 3

Cody working on his Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter car project.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Plenty of tasks still to tackle if Cody wants to keep his Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter car project moving forward. From adding rust effects to the trucks and diaphragms to painting the car interior, Cody shows you how! […]

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How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 2

Cody working on the Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter cars.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Cody has the Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter cars disassembled, so it’s over to the spray booth he goes to prep them for re-lettering. Follow along as he shares his proven tips and techniques for working with water-slide decals. […]

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How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 1

Cody Grivno building a signature fleet of suburban service commuter cars.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Now that David Popp has shared his fine design for a Chicago & North Western HO scale layout, it’s time for Cody Grivno to start building a signature fleet of suburban service commuter cars. Cody gets things started by showing you how […]

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