The Scrap yard in 1/16th scale

[Les Tindall]

Barney, this is just great, inspirational stuff. I was thinks of making a winch and boiler too (16mm scale - 1/19th), so now I know how to do it!   Recognise the winch location (Black Country Museum - a wonderful place for modelling ideas).   
Les

[Barney]

Ray I use an enamel based paint in this case I have used Humbrol Tank grey /dark grey - is it important to remove the slimy effect of these nylon gears by giving them a good washing in warm water and washing  up liquid . and if possible when dry give them a quick rub with 400 grit paper it gives them a bit of a key - the same goes for glueing it also helps to score the flat surfaces with a knife to give it extra grip
photo shows a quick under coat of humbrol of the parts I can to get to for spraying the whole thing all parts still a trial fit (a few edges to clean up )
The Enamel paint does stick well - top coat can be an acrylic colour if preferred  But I have found the acrylic based paint pretty useless for under coating these slimy nylon surfaces
I have also used car paint cellulose with success on nylon but it does get up your nose a bit and gives you one hell of a headache
Barney 

[Chuck Doan]

Looking good, Barney!

[Ray Dunakin]

Barney, thanks for the info on painting nylon.

[Lawton Maner]

     My favorite prep for plastics is a Dawn Dish Detergent.  While on a tour of a railcar manufacturer in the summer of 1980, our tour guide informed us that the factory used it as a de-greasing agent for many machined parts prior to painting and assembly because as a consumer product it could be simply sent down the drains without treatment.  The stuff arrived in55 gallon drums.  They did however, pass all of the cleaning waste water through an oil separator to remove any oily residue.  Try a bit of it with very hot water in a power washer at the end of the winter to clean the undercarriage of your car and rust and grime will be limited to your model shop.

[Barney]

When you have made the one with the most holes and rivets along comes a simple version
boat yard scene from Les

[Barney]

Rust inspiration
Barney

[Barney]

and a bit more

[Barney]

The first bits ready for the yard - well nearly - The petrol pump and the winch - bits to touch up and a few more weeds all the parts will be on small bases which will then be fitted to the main diorama 

[Barney]

the pump

[Barney]

the winch

[Hydrostat]

This petrol pump looks fantastic  ! Maybe those rotten sheets might benefit from some more rusty look all over, it looks a bit like it has been painted after it had rottened away.

[Ray Dunakin]

The pump looks fantastic. I agree that the rusted out panels need to have more rust around the holes.

[finescalerr]

That is some of your best work. Most satisfactory. -- Russ

[Design-HSB]

Even a Scrapyard can get wonderful under your Hands.