I finally decided to try my hand at weathering using powders. My only issue is when I try to grab the cars my finger prints get on them. How do I prevent this, especially when taking cars in and out of their packaging.
Do you spray them with dull coat after you finish weathering them?
I also Dull-Coat cars, engines, structures, autos and even people after weathering them with powders. This seals the weathering on. It’s in addition to the coating I give them before applying the powder, which adds “tooth” to the surface and helps the powder adhere.
The protective layer of Dull-Coat will mute down the weathering powders, though. I actually like that, because I tend to over-weather, and this makes it more subtle.
With weathering powders - especially light over dark surfaces - you need to carefully over-apply the powder so it will look “normal” when it gets dullcoated. You should find a piece of junk rolling stock or scrap styrene and paint it the color of your unweathered car, then practice on that - until you figure out what amount of powder produces the best results.
Good luck!
There are fixitives other than Dullcoat, such as those artists use who work in pencil or charcoal sticks, that might be worth investigating, particularly since Dullcoat has changed their formula in the last couple of years…
Some of my powder weathering is done with finely sifted ash from the fireplace which is cheap enough that a quick re-dusting with a cosmetics brush quickly renews it.
Touching any rolling stock with bare hands should be minimized regardless of if there are weathering powders and chalks to protect. While the white cotton gloves that people who handle art and antiques may seem like overkill, at the very least a supply of cheap facial tissue, paper towels, even TP for that matter, on hand is a good idea if you find yourself touching the models often.
Dave Nelson
Wear rubber gloves. I weather cars and I wear the gloves the whole time. I’ve seen cars covered in finger prints. Dullcote will work, but still wear the gloves.
Sometimes its hard to get rid of the finger prints if you have gotten far on the car.
I wear rubber gloves when painting or weathering, but not when operating the layout!! If the car is sealed in with dullcoat, you’re not going to have a problem picking up a car with your bare hands.
Interestingly enough, Martyn Welch, whose “The Art of Weathering” is probably the best book every written on the subject, didn’t like to seal in his chalk weathering. He felt that handling the cars over time kinda rubbed the weathering in, making it more realistic.
[:S]
I spray Plaid Clear Acrylic Matte Sealer available in the crafts section of Wal-mart over weathering powders to seal them. It comes in a 6 oz. spray can and is much cheaper than Dull Cote.
I ran into that problem too when I first started weathering cars, I seen a suggestion to use rubber gloves, that’s probably your best option. I don’t wear them personally Ive just learned where to keep my fingers when I’m applying the pastels. I don’t use any other form of weathering except for dry-brushing once in while and you can run into the same problem with that. Everyone has their own style. Ive found the key is to check the car for finger fudges before applying the protective coat of clear-coat. Believe me its a pain in the you know what to get rid of them prints once you apply it unless you just coat over it with more pastels.