The Siren Board

Do you have to get a custom paint job for fire engine red and the black intakes/motor and red & white horns?

The Ralph Ratcliffe sirens come unassembled and unpainted.
I believe you are referring to this red, white and blue 2T22.
It was painted to resemble this siren at the VFW hall in Arkansas City, Kansas.

I assemble them with super glue and paint them with Floquil model railroad paints.
If I didn't get the gist of your question, please rephrase it and I will try to give a better answer.

woodyrr wrote:

Sirens!.JPG

The Ralph Ratcliffe sirens come unassembled and unpainted.

RWB 2T22 copy.jpg

I believe you are referring to this red, white and blue 2T22.

RWB 2T22.jpg

It was painted to resemble this siren at the VFW hall in Arkansas City, Kansas.

I assemble them with super glue and paint them with Floquil model railroad paints.
If I didn't get the gist of your question, please rephrase it and I will try to give a better answer.

Yep that's what I wanted to know. Could you use any other glue/paint? I have modeling glue if it works.

Mark N wrote:

woodyrr wrote:I assemble them with super glue and paint them with Floquil model railroad paints.
If I didn't get the gist of your question, please rephrase it and I will try to give a better answer.

Yep that's what I wanted to know. Could you use any other glue/paint? I have modeling glue if it works.

When I built my Thunderbolt model from Ralph Ratcliffe, I used super glue. It may work with other glues, but I HIGHLY recommend super glue because of the strength.

Sifed1 wrote:

Mark N wrote:

woodyrr wrote:I assemble them with super glue and paint them with Floquil model railroad paints.
If I didn't get the gist of your question, please rephrase it and I will try to give a better answer.

Yep that's what I wanted to know. Could you use any other glue/paint? I have modeling glue if it works.

When I built my Thunderbolt model from Ralph Ratcliffe, I used super glue. It may work with other glues, but I HIGHLY recommend super glue because of the strength.

Well, modeling glue is the same strength, just soft and squishy after it comes out. So it's like a safer super glue (my fingers get tortured every time I use superglue).

Sifed1 wrote:

Mark N wrote:Well, modeling glue is the same strength, just soft and squishy after it comes out. So it's like a safer super glue (my fingers get tortured every time I use superglue).

When I built my Thunderbolt model from Ralph Ratcliffe, I used super glue. It may work with other glues, but I HIGHLY recommend super glue because of the strength.

Okay then. If it's just like it, then just use it. It's for modeling anyway.

"Model" glue or styrene cement is designed to work with styrene and ABS plastic. It is a solvent that melts the plastic at the joint and fuses the pieces together. These sirens are made from another type of plastic that does not react to the solvent. You really need to use super glue which provides the strength to hold the pieces together. I use disposable vinyl gloves and keep a gallon of Acetone handy in case I get some on me as Acetone is the solvent for super glue.

Here are some of the glues that I use for modeling.

The Locktite Super Glue is the best I have found. I get it at Home Depot.

(it took a few tries, but I was finally able to get the photo to post right side up)

woodyrr wrote:"Model" glue or styrene cement is designed to work with styrene and ABS plastic. It is a solvent that melts the plastic at the joint and fuses the pieces together. These sirens are made from another type of plastic that does not react to the solvent. You really need to use super glue which provides the strength to hold the pieces together. I use disposable vinyl gloves and keep a gallon of Acetone handy in case I get some on me as Acetone is the solvent for super glue.

Here are some of the glues that I use for modeling.

The Locktite Super Glue is the best I have found. I get it at Home Depot.

photo 2.JPG

Oh ok, thanks for the help!

Those look great! I'll be sure to get one for my future layout!

What are the prices ranges for these? Did they take long for them to arrive??