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The Book On Weathering
December 2008
In December of 2008 Tom Mann released his first book titled simply, "Weathering". Here at Ztrains we're pleased to present this Z Scale Guest interview with Tom. I first saw Tom's work on a diorama I had built for a client, Jürg Rüedi, and I was immediately floored by his work.
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Tom Mann
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Frankly I didn't think such weathering detail was possible in Z scale. Actually to that point... I didn't give locomotive and rolling stock weathering a lot of thought. It looked good when I saw it of course but I never thought of weathering as a necessary component of good modelling. I do now.
In his new book and in this interview Tom shares some of his techniques and just as important... his thinking and his approach to weathering in Z scale. His new book is filled with great tips and techniques and is both a pleasure to read (and look at of course) as well as being an invaluable weathering reference guide.
Ztrains: What initially drew you to the art of weathering model trains?
Tom Mann: Living in rented apartments that are limited in space meant that I could build no permanent or even a transportable layout. Being inspired by Rich Yourstone's work in N Scale I started to weather locomotives and freight cars as I acquired them. Almost 5 years later I dedicate 95% of my modeling efforts to weathering. This "sub-hobby" just stuck.
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Tom Mann's Website
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Tom Mann: Weathering Z scale models goes a long way in making them look realistic. However in the past the small size of Z scale seemed to pose a challenge to modelers in terms of weathering as a lot of photos in magazines show out-of-the-box unweathered models.
As a Z scaler weathering is the single best thing you can do to bring your models up to the realism level that is second nature to the larger scales.
Ztrains: You've just written and released your first book, "Weathering by Tom Mann", give us a little of the background on this new project.
Tom Mann: I weather a lot of models and frequently publish their photos. Because of this I get asked a lot of questions and I wanted a document to point to as a reference. The book contains descriptions and photos of the techniques I use, not necessarily my own ideas. The book contains a mix of photos of finished and in-progress models. I worked hard to not only share ideas and techniques but to inspire those who may only have a passing interest in weathering.
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BNSF locomotive completed. Click to enlarge photo
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Tom Mann: For me it is too easy to go overboard with the airbrush and fade a model excessively in Z. It is also difficult to remember to keep detail painting techniques scaled correctly, controlled and limited.
Ztrains: Are there any weathering techniques that are particularly well suited to Z scale? Conversely are there any weathering techniques that don't work all that well in Z scale due to the relative size?
Tom Mann: Z scale models have a lot of molded on detail parts, more so than in the larger scales. A paint wash becomes important to create a sense of depth and shadow. All the techniques that I employ apply to all scales, I'm just more careful when it comes to Z.
Ztrains: Many model railroaders avoid using an airbrush as they feel it's just too daunting a task to take on... just a bit too esoteric to do well. How important is an airbrush to successful weathering?
Tom Mann: Well I don't want to make a blanket statement on the merits of an airbrush, but from personal experience my weathering improved significantly after I started using one. However I also see plenty of weathering that looks good without using an airbrush. My personal recommendation is to practice airbrushing and see if the results encourage consistent use. Since I do believe that it's important, my book has a few pages set aside on using one – the only tool given a spotlight in the book.
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Workspace. Click to enlarge photo
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Tom Mann: The powders would be complimentary in some aspects but cannot eliminate the need for an airbrush with regards to all weathering effects. For example weathering a plow on a diesel locomotive can be done with powders or it can be done with an airbrush. Both methods yield almost the same results but the chalks could give more of a pleasing and realistic texture. Fading a paint scheme works best with the airbrush. I think that it's a good idea to use and experiment with all available media.
Ztrains: One detail in particular I've noticed about your steam locomotive weathering... that is thorough weathering effect and coverage you achieve on the wheels and side rods. In your book you talk about the use of NeoLube on the moving parts of a steam locomotive. Could you tell us about NeoLube and your use of it with steam locos?
Tom Mann: I use NeoLube to darken the side rods and wheels. Right off the bat it creates a nice gun metal color that looks better than the shiny silver and serves as a great base for additional weathering. Relying on NeoLube to do the "heavy lifting" darkening means less paint is needed on the moving parts.
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HO, N and Z in progress. Click to enlarge photo
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Tom Mann: This all depends on the truck construction. In Z scale AZL diesel locomotive sideframes come off easily so the wheel can be painted. In other scales, a complete disassembly of the entire locomotive is needed. So in these cases I have a test track set up in my airbrush booth and paint the trucks and wheels as the locomotive is moving, saving me the time of a disassembly. Keeping the locomotive moving ensures even coverage and also helps guard against getting paint in places that would interfere with the electrical contact.
Ztrains: Your technique using sea salt is incredibly clever... both for simulating flaking paint as well as its use as a mask over painted lettering. How well has this worked out in Z scale?
Tom Mann: I've weathered about 5 Z scale models with the salt technique so far. I'm happy with it but it is unfortunately too easy at the small size of Z for the salt to lift up the surrounding paint. The resulting peeling effect might look good in O scale, but it is too exaggerated in Z.
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Spray booth. Click to enlarge photo
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Tom Mann: The airbrush was a mystery to me when I first started using it. It's a good idea to take it apart and learn how the pieces fit together, how they look when clean and how the mechanism feels when clean. This is because a dirty airbrush is very frustrating and yields poor results. If you take notes on how it should be you'll know what to fix when something doesn't seem right (like spattering, too little of a flow, etc.). Another tip is that before I apply paint to a model I first test the paint mixture on a scrap piece of styrene to make sure it is thinned correctly and the color is what I expect.
Ztrains: How much is too much? What I mean is... at what point should you stop weathering a particular model? Can you weather too much?
Tom Mann: I've seen weathering that is over the top and it is usually because one specific technique was used enthusiastically too much. For example it is easy with chalks, powders or Sophisticated Finishes to create a rust texture that makes the model look like the Titanic on the bottom of the ocean floor. Multiple techniques used together often balance each other out and allow the weathering to be realistically taken to the extremes.
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Photo shoot. Click to enlarge photo
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Ztrains: Can you offer any general advice or guidelines to our readers who are thinking of taking the weathering plunge in Z scale?
Tom Mann: Just start working on older or unwanted models first or even pick up some HO scale equipment (that can be purchased more cheaply than Z) and have at it. Take your camera and snap some photos of prototype equipment and try to weather following what you see on the prototype.
Get feedback on your models from non-railroading friends. They will certainly wonder what you're up to but won't be caught up with details about specific models and will instead focus on the weathering more than someone who is familiar with trains.
Ztrains: Last question... what has been the biggest challenge or surprise you've come across as you've worked in Z scale weathering?
Tom Mann: I am much more pleased with my weathering on Z scale equipment than any other scale especially when I see it in context on a diorama or layout. That to me is the surprise... that the smallest of scales returns the biggest rewards.
Tom Mann's Weathering Factory
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