Sleeper painting?

[Carl L]

Does anyone have any views on painting sleepers to get rid of the slightly plastic look, prior to ballasting? Or does the ballasting process sort this?

I seem to have memories, somewhat distant, of doing this as a teenager. Maybe a misspent youth hood!

[Steve M]

My preferred method is to spray the laid, wired and tested track with Humbrol no29 (mid brown) before ballasting. Mask the contact areas of the point blades first. After ballasting I add rust and oil shades with an airbrush. Finally, give the track a good clean with a track rubber, a Hoover and a wipe with IPA.

[Walkingthedog]

I don’t paint the sleepers but ballast the track then add colour to the ballast depending on its location. e.g. black where locos would be standing.

[Steve M]

I was about to share a photo but Flickr appears to have updated and changed its settings.......again.

[Steve M]

Got it. Gives an idea of what my method looks like.

20190814_190726 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

[Carl L]

Appreciate the replies, many thanks.