Weathering Basics Issue 002

STEP 1

Remove the wheel sets from the car as you will do them separate. First step is to wash the car in a mixture of black acrylic and water. you can also use odorless mineral spirits and black india ink. The goal for this is to make the wash very, very light. You want this to highlight all the small details in the car as well as add to the weathered look. You can also play with washes of something close to the color of the car or a rust mixture. This mixture should be one drop of paint or ink in a small container of liquid. you want this to be just a tint above clear. brush the mixture on the car from the top allowing it to run down the side of the car. If you brush it, brush from the top to the bottom so you don’t see brush strokes when it is dry. Use the hair dryer to dry the car.

STEP 2

Apply a coat of testors dull cote onto the car. Use the hair dryer to dry this. This is necessary to not only seal the previous work but to give the powders a base to stick to later on.

STEP 3

Take your burnt umber paint which simulates dark rust and apply using a sponge or using a semi dry brush technique. Apply this according to the picture or if you aren’t using one apply it where rust on boxcars forms. Typically around and on the door, running down from the roof and at the bottoms of the car. Small rust pits and scratches can be made by using a very fine brush. Remember less is more. Don’t get too carried away as you can always add more. Once again, dry this with the hair dryer. You can also use the raw sienna around the rust to simulate new rust forming that is lighter in color. Dullcoat the area completed.

Continued in Railroaders Magazine issue 002...

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