Denny-

Do you seal prepainted car sides like Mainline?

Ed

--- In STMFC@..., "ed_mines" <ed_mines@...> wrote:

Denny-

Do you seal prepainted car sides like Mainline?

Ed

No, making the presumption that the paint already present is functioning well already as
an effective sealer. I do always seal the back side, however.

One of the vexing problems with a lot of the pre-painted wood car sides was that the
wood had not been either pre-sealed nor then sanded, nor the joints between the
planking cleared before painting- thus leaving a relatively rough surface and joints
clogged with tiny whiskers that nothing can be done about.

I love wood cars, and enjoy even more the challenge of building them. However, because
of the above, I am always thankful when I have unpainted sides that I can finish "ground
up" myself.

Mainline: I loved building these, and I still admire the silk screened sides or the early cars.
However, my ardor cooled when (among other things) I realized how oversized the cars
were, and how in so many cases the models represented cars and schemes that probably
never actually existed (and fooled everyone in the process!).

Denny

Just returned recently from the 2007 NASG convention in Baltimore. Not too many "scale" dealers/vendors there compared to the past but enough to deplete the resources.
Was talking to one model builder and he mentioned that he drills at least one small hole in the floors of wood kits he builds to alleviate the difference in the "sealed" in air and the outside air to minimize expansion, contraction. Sounds like a good idea that I will try on my next all wood kit. Anyone else ever heard of this?
Bud Rindfleisch

+Given the compressability of wood, I don't think this is necessary.
Besides, the chances that you completely sealed the interior are extremely
remote.

--
Atty Raymond G. Meyer
110 E. Main St
Port Washington, WI 53074
262-284-5566
rgmeyer2@...