Once I have finished teasing out the cotton of the swab (3), it’s
decision time. If they are being used for steam release, I don’t
paint them – I declare them done. For these, all I need to do
is attach them to the locomotive or some other equipment’s
steam vent.
To make smoke rather than steam, I poke the swab shaft into a
base of cardboard or foam. I prefer to do spray painting outside
with a rattle can of Krylon or Rustoleum dark gray primer – I
find it makes a nice dark smoky color (4).
I have also found the cotton tends to blow around a little while
I am spraying it, which makes it harder to control the paint
application. To keep this from happening, I hold the cotton
down with a skewer or a tooth pick.
2
2. The beginning of the teasing process.
3. The finished look of the teased swab end.
3
Makin' Smoke - 2
MRH-Mar 2013
