There's a new trend out now using a product called Plasti-Dip where people can easily change the color of their car by spraying a rubber based temporary paint that peels off. It's claimed to be durable enough to last up to two years with care but what I'm thinking is that it could be a temporary way to show the various paint schemes of diesel locomotives through the years. The paint isn't really that expensive and yes you would need a lot of it to cover an entire locomotive but it could be a cool concept to do for special events and photo charters and the like. I'm sure there could be other various uses for this type paint in the industry. Thoughts?

Well at least you would have a good grip on the engine. I've never heard of this before. Doesn't really sound like a good idea.

It's not a good idea at all; it is a rather stupid one, in fact. Plasti-Dip is quite useful, but it is not intended for this sort of use at all. This is way too much like using Bondo to repair (or cover up) rust damage on body panels instead of replacing them with new ones. Keep in mind that this is a product that is meant for use on unpainted or plated metal surfaces, not painted ones; it may not attack the underlying paint directly, but it could (and likely will) prove very difficult to remove without damaging said paint since this is a product that is not meant for temporary applications. Implementing a cockamamie idea like this a wonderful way to get yourself hated by everyone in your organization (and possibly thrown out on one's arse), but it's otherwise useless as a preservation tool.

They do show applications over painted surfaces on their website, especially for automotive use.

http://dipheadsunite.com/automotive/how ... ive-how-3/

They go into quite of bit of detail on how to mask your car before applying this stuff. (The brief bit I watched seemed like pretty basic paint masking, obviously geared at novices.)

That said, I agree it would most likely damage the paint, and I really don't think we'll see anyone putting a coat of this on 611 so it can be Southern Green for a weekend photofest.

Wow, some of these replies are a bit harsh....

The main drive behind their marketing is that it IS temporary. If you want to change the color of your car, you can. I'm not saying to go around and start dipping equipment after multi-hundred thousand dollar restorations but say you have an old Geep that does its duty. The paint isn't great but not awful. Want to spruce it up on the quick for cheap? Dip it. Sure, the colors might not be exact but the way I see it is if a couple of guys can rattle can an old U-Boat on its way to the scrap yard, dipping something with older paint certainly couldn't hurt ( see URL for picture http://www.moonlighthaze.com/sitebuilde ... 890006.JPG ). It's a progressive idea but not necessarily a bad one.

Wrap still seems like a better idea, and less liable to damage the surface under it. I don't know what it costs to do a locomotive, but a stock car costs about $200 for a full wrap.

Come to think of it, 611 would look awesome in that simulated carbon fiber wrap!


(runs for cover....)

Some of Ed Ellis' Iowa Central passenger equipment is wrapped rather than painted.

I thought you couldn't clear coat or even wax equipment. How would coating it in PlastiDip be approved?

Be approved by whom?

Beats me, the FRA? I was told we weren't allowed to clear coat or wax our equipment. I never asked who told us we couldn't.

Yeah, I never thought of that. I could see the wax becoming a slipping issue on the walkways. Okay, that makes sense.

Try Car Art spray paint for tempoary paint.

FRA does not regulate paint in any way, shape or form whatsover. The only entity who might "approve" paint related issues is the owner or paint manufacturer.

I took a closer look at this Plasti-Dip.

I don't agree that it's cheap. It's really expensive! The issue is coverage area. It goes on very thick. For a compact car, they say 2 gallons for underlayment if your substrate is not the right color; 3 gallons for the base coat; and 3 more gallons for clearcoat which is pretty much mandatory if you don't want a flat finish. At $80/gal. this adds up quick. When you include their other kit and chemicals, you're looking at $600-760 for a compact car. For that price I could paint 3 with Awlgrip!

Now removability, I think that depends on your existing paint. The usual rules of paint adhesion apply. A scuff-sanded "flat" or worn-out surface will stick well; an excellent, glossy surface will not. Normally adhesion is our goal, but in this case we want easy release.

Also, because it's easy-release, if foliage rakes the car, it will tend to tear the paint off. (it certainly does a job on our Rustoleum on the corners.)

Also any dregs of the stuff remaining, down in nooks and crannies, is likely to be a contamination issue on your next real repaint - similar to silicones.

So I'd be comfortable with it for a temporary display on an otherwise well maintained unit with good paint... I just wouldn't want to pay for it.