Hobbyists have a variety of ways to hold a model for painting. You can just place the model on a piece of paper or even hold it in your hand, but there are other options. One option is alligator clips. Several model stands are equipped with the clips – some even come with a magnifying glass to help with detailed work.
For model trains, there are both plastic and foam holders. The plastic is a stable platform, but caution must be used not to scratch the paint when picking up or moving the model. I added some foam padding to my stand. The foam option is my new preferred choice. Feldherr offers foam holders in several different scales and with an optional second slot.
Now a foam holder can be purchased for about US $15. It has a magnetic strip across the top in case you remove small parts like the screws that hold the coupler or wheels so they do not get paint dripped on them by accident. Or you can add a second slot so you can work on a second car while the first dries.
That is what I purchased. I love it.
The foam holders are available online and in different scales. I went for the two-slot Feldherr Premium work or paint Cradle for HO. Yet I can and have used it for my larger O scale trains and it works fine.
I went for the two slots. That way, one car can be drying while I work on the other. Glad I did. At first I thought the magnetic strip was a waste, until I dropped one tiny screw and spent half an hour on the floor with the phone flashlight looking for it.
Let me tell you, a little screw bounces far but I did find it and get the car back together. However, since having the magnetic strip, I have put the small metal parts there and have not dropped another.
Until next time, I hope you have something soft cradling your trains as you work on them.
Pictured: Foam holders protect the model.
