Weathering?

[Squiffy]

Evening, chaps,

I'd like to add a more realistic look to my models but don't really know where to begin. 

Any techniques, tips and whereabouts on the aeroplane certain effects should be used will be appreciated.

One thing though - I'm looking for effects that are suitable for 72nd scale and that do not require the use of an air-brush as I do not posess one.

Thanks.

[Ian from Doncaster]

I think there are as many weathering techniques as there are modellers!

At present I prefer to use weathering powders, or pastel chalks ground into dust on sandpaper then drybrushed onto the model.  I use this for shading on wings, exhaust stains, and general dirtying of surfaces.  Sometimes I seal the powders in with a spray of satin varnish.

[Alexis]

Like Ian I use weathering pigments or pastel chalk . For the pastels to stick to the surface you will first need to apply a dull coat . Once this is dried the pastels are applied with a brush , make up sponges , cotton buds ( Q-tips ) even your finger . By dry brushing , dabbing etc,etc will yield many different effects .




Terri

[Squiffy]

Thanks for that. Do you have any pictures to illustrate these effects?

[Ian from Doncaster]

Here's my recent WNW Sopwith Tripe.  On the wing undersides, I first painted the CDL colour.  Then I buffed up the surface with a fine cloth which gives a glossier effect on the raised ribs, and coated with Klear/Future to protect the decals.  Next the rib tapes and edges were masked, and the powders brushed on using a mix of browns, dark greys, olive greens etc.  I got progressively darker closer to the fuselage and on the lowest wing, to represent the effects of being closer to the ground, engine oil and exhaust effects etc.  I carried this on to the fuselage under surface.



Build up of rib masking tapes




Here is a more subtle effect on the same aircraft rudder, where I used smoke coloured powders on top of the painted rudder to highlight (or is it lowlight as I was representing the shade?) the rudder structure.




And some rib effects and staining on the fuselage/wing upper surface.

[Squiffy]

Thanks, Ian. Those rib effects look good. I'll pick one of my older models to experiment on.

[ALBATROS1234]

the most simple techniques are washes and dry brushing. with a wash you use the opposite thinner as your paint job. in other words if you used enamel paint use acrylic wash. wash is just paint thinned to the extreme. most people use a dark brown or dark grey wash. this accents recessed detail and engraved details. also i outline raised details with washes. after you washes dry, do a matt clear coat, i use testors dullcote. then dry brush to highlight details, drybrush using enamels they spread nicer. just dip your brush then wipe 90% of the paint off on a paper towel then lightly brush areas with raised details. use silver on engines and guns, use a lighter version of whatever color on the rest. for instance if the plane it painted a pc-10 green brown, use a similar color but add white so its noticeably lighter, etc. these simple techniques will add dimension and realism to your builds. obviously this is only the beginning but it is the main basic things to add and accent detail.