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HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 12:17 pm
by Chris Bird
Hi folks
I have recently finished (well mostly) my Wittenberg-Schafer kit and have written it up here, if anyone is interested:

https://sites.google.com/a/gardenrailwa ... chafer-kit

Please note that I did not have the instructions when I started so some of my build departs from the official instructions.

I will also put a little video over in the video section.
Cheers
Chris
HGLW W-S Loco.jpg
HGLW W-S Loco.jpg (95.57 KiB) Viewed 7584 times

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 12:40 pm
by BorisSpencer
Very nice.
Have you added much weight to the loco?

I can see an order heading the way of HGLW in the not too distant future.

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 12:58 pm
by Chris Bird
Thanks Boris - and no, no extra weight at all. The all up weight with two crew is 487gms and it managed a pretty heavy train without problems.
Cheers
Chris

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 4:30 pm
by Peter Butler
A lovely little odd-ball loco, well built and beautifully finished. The paintwork looks really good for an MDF kit.

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 8:14 pm
by IanC
Agreed. The video is worth watching too.

Ian

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 10:48 pm
by Chris Bird
Thanks guys :)

The finish was down to a shellac based sealer, five coats of primer and multiple coats of top coat with lots of rubbing down between the various coats. The finish is far from perfect but enough is enough!!
Cheers
Chris

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 8:26 am
by ge_rik
Nice little loco and a great finish. I didn't seal the MDF on my recent HGLW build before painting. I found the flat surfaces took primer and paint well (better than ply), but visible end 'grain' sections absorbed the paint and needed several applications before they were sealed. If I made another model from MDF, I think I would follow your suggestion and seal any end grain sections prior to priming.

Rik

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 6:23 pm
by IanC
Chris,

Following yours and Rik's posts on the HGLW loco's I sahll probably be buying one shortly. Just have to decide which one.

Can you give me some advice on painting the MDF please? I've heard it is better to seal it first before any sanding, otherwise it just creates a "fluffy" finish which then takes more work to achive a smooth surface.

Am I correct in thinking you gave your loco several coats of sealer / primer too. I don't have shelac so I would be tempted to use PVA, watered down.

Ian

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 7:00 pm
by Peter Butler
Ian, watered down PVA will add to your problems, it is the water content which causes the MDF to swell and go 'fluffy'. Sanding sealers or shellac are far better because they are quick drying and stay on the surface without soaking the material.
Once dry they can be sanded between coats and a good smooth surface will eventually hide the joins.... be patient!

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 7:54 pm
by IanC
Peter Butler wrote: Mon May 14, 2018 7:00 pm Ian, watered down PVA will add to your problems, it is the water content which causes the MDF to swell and go 'fluffy'. Sanding sealers or shellac are far better because they are quick drying and stay on the surface without soaking the material.
Once dry they can be sanded between coats and a good smooth surface will eventually hide the joins.... be patient!
Good point Peter. I'll have to make a trip to my local DIY store.

Thanks,

Ian

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 8:05 am
by bazzer42
http://www.diy.com/departments/colron-h ... 862_BQ.prd

Steph H ( she is talented, writes in Garden Rail) was using this for a 7/8 coach build on the SE lounge . The name shellac was bandied around but this was what she used as "shellac". No guarantees but I plan to get some as I've got two coach kits on the shelf.

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 10:34 am
by IanC
bazzer42 wrote: Wed May 16, 2018 8:05 am http://www.diy.com/departments/colron-h ... 862_BQ.prd

Steph H ( she is talented, writes in Garden Rail) was using this for a 7/8 coach build on the SE lounge . The name shellac was bandied around but this was what she used as "shellac". No guarantees but I plan to get some as I've got two coach kits on the shelf.
I've found something similar here. Slightly cheaper than Been and Queued.

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p94067?

Ian

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 10:51 am
by Peter Butler
Either of the above should do the trick, they are quick drying and will seal the MDF surface well. It is important to apply thin coats as it can form blobs and runs which will be difficult to remove. Work quickly and keep moving to spread out evenly.
It is meths based and you will certainly need some to clean it off your fingers.... it is difficult to remove.

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 12:17 pm
by IanC
Peter Butler wrote: Wed May 16, 2018 10:51 am Either of the above should do the trick, they are quick drying and will seal the MDF surface well. It is important to apply thin coats as it can form blobs and runs which will be difficult to remove. Work quickly and keep moving to spread out evenly.
It is meths based and you will certainly need some to clean it off your fingers.... it is difficult to remove.
I wonder if it's possible to apply using an airbrush? I have an old cheapo one and may give it a try. Does the PVA glue stick to sealed MDF or would I need something else such as epoxy resin or super glue?

Ian

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 1:21 pm
by ge_rik
I didn't seal my loco before painting - partly due to ignorance and partly due to impatience. I gave her a couple of coats of Halford's grey primer, then some filler (Squadron white putty) a couple of coats of top coat, then changed my mind on the colour and so rubbed down, primed and top coated again, followed by a couple of light coats of varnish. I'd say it was 9 coats in all. I only noticed paint absorption where the end 'grain' of the MDF showed through and that had virtually disappeared after the first four coats (ie 2 x primer/filler + 2 × top coat) with gentle rubbing down between primer and top coat.

Maybe I'm more tolerant of slight imperfections and so don't notice them but I'm quite happy with the finish I achieved.
IMG_7467.JPG
IMG_7467.JPG (186.65 KiB) Viewed 7319 times
Rik

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 1:32 pm
by Peter Butler
My preferred option would be to build the body first and apply filler as required in any gaps, then smooth the areas before using any sealer.
I have much experience of using shellac and French polish during my career and wouldn't recommend spraying it as it will block the jet very quickly. I doubt it would be possible to clean any spray equipment afterwards.
If you can find a cellulose based equivalent that would be far better.

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 2:11 pm
by tom_tom_go
I am with Rik on this one narrow gauge is ruff and ready!

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 4:54 pm
by IanC
It looks good to me Rik. So good that the picture and your review has convinced me that one of these will be my next loco purchase.

Ian

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 4:56 pm
by IanC
Peter Butler wrote: Wed May 16, 2018 1:32 pm My preferred option would be to build the body first and apply filler as required in any gaps, then smooth the areas before using any sealer.
I have much experience of using shellac and French polish during my career and wouldn't recommend spraying it as it will block the jet very quickly. I doubt it would be possible to clean any spray equipment afterwards.
If you can find a cellulose based equivalent that would be far better.
Sounds good to me Peter, thanks. I'm used to blocked jets. It happens frequently with acrylics in the airbrush.

Many thanks,

Ian

Re: HGLW Wittenberg-Schafer Loco

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 5:18 pm
by markoteal
IanC wrote: Wed May 16, 2018 4:54 pm It looks good to me Rik. So good that the picture and your review has convinced me that one of these will be my next loco purchase.

Ian
Agree - sanding the two top corners into rounded corners makes all the difference - make it look more prototypical to me - and the finish on that paintwork is spot on - its all about the number of think layers rubbed down in between