07 Jul Basic Weathering Techniques
Basic Weathering Techniques
by David Van Wagoner
CB&W member, David Van Wagoner, talks about some simple techniques that can be used to provide basic weathering to your locomotives and rollings stock. He provides a listing of the tools required and outlines some methods to easily weathering your equipment. You can download Dave’s complete presentation and the end of the story.
Philosophy
- Make engines and rolling stock more lifelike
- Make it simple – the basic starting point
- Easy to learn
- Easy to add variations
Tools
Tamiya’s NATO Black – great base color for tinting (heavily used, steam engines have a slightly gray look)
(Alternative: Testor’s Dullcoat)
- Mask over lights, etc.
- Lightly spray entire engine and tender
- You can lightly spray over wheels and rods with no ill effects
Model Master’s Camouflage Gray – looks like dust
(Great for dry brushing to highlight details)
- Lightly spray above the trucks and ends on the tender to show dust build-up
- Spray the engine’s firebox to simulate discoloration due to heat
IMPORTANT: The paint is typically thinned out a bit – 80% thinner/20% paint
What is Dry Brushing? How I do it.
- Paint is used directly out of the bottle with no thinning
- Swipe the paintbrush on a paper towel until nearly all of the paint has been removed.
- Very lightly using a wide brush, drag over the surface. You can use a plastic scrap piece to test first
Weathering Pastel Chalks
- I prefer Bradgon products and use multiple colors
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown, (earth)
- Dark Rust
- Apply as you see fit. What makes sense.
Remember, a little goes a long way
For Rolling Stock
Dullcoat the car to eliminate the toy-like sheen and provide a suitable surface for the pastel to adhere to. Then apply pastels as desired.
NOTE: No need to overspray model with Dullcote when using Bragdon products, since it contains adhesive.
The Final Results
Note the increase dusty look near the trucks. Dry brushing highlights the details.
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