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Paint Trucks and Span Bolsters
1. Painting the Trucks and Span Bolsters should be done with an airbrush only.
2. Any shade or sheen of black will work. If you want a new look, use gloss black. Grimy black is
a good choice if you want a faded or heavily used look.
3. For best results and quicker painting, use a quick drying solvent based paint. We use and
recommend Tru-Color paints.
4. A small rod placed through the center of the Trucks and Span Bolsters makes handling easy
when painting. Use tape on the rod to get a snug fit.
5. This is also a great time to remove the Coupler Covers from the cardboard packing and paint
them black as well. After the paint has dried on the coupler covers, paint the tips of the
angled air line silver. Set the Coupler Covers aside in a protected place until needed at the
end of the assembly process.
6. Apply any weathering to the Trucks and Span Bolsters at this time.
7. Once the paint is dry and cured, you are ready to assemble the Trucks to the Span Bolsters.
Final Truck Assembly
1. Loosen the un-glued Sideframes from the Centers, but do not completely remove.
IMPORTANT – You should practice Steps 3 – 5 without using glue a time or two before proceeding with
Step 2.
2. Find a small piece of scrap styrene or plastic (cardboard will also work). Deposit a small
amount of CA to the material. You will use a toothpick to apply CA from here in the next
steps.
Insert Wheelsets into the axle bearing points on the glued
3.
Sideframe. Move the opposite ends into the loose Sideframe.
You will have to wiggle the Sideframe slightly, but try not to
remove it completelt from the Center piece.
the picture are for demonstration purposes, your parts will be painted.)
4. Hold the Wheelsets in place with one hand. With your free
hand, use a toothpick to pick up a small amount of CA. Apply
the CA inside the gap between the Sideframe and Center.
5. Press the Sideframe against the Center, making sure the
Wheelsets are seated correctly in both Sideframes as the parts
are pressed together.
6. The first Truck is now complete. Repeat for the remaining 5 Trucks.
(The sideframed in
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