Question - techniques for mimicking used/weathered galvanized metal (Reprise)?

[chutton01]

Searching around, I found two threads in the past 4 years about this topic (and I had posted in both); in one I mentioned a technique for modeling NEW Galvanized metal (basically spray w/ Testor’s Silver, and then dullcote) which I continue to use as I really like the look of it. The second “weathering finish” technique was one I heard of, which is spray silver, light spray w/ primer, dull-cote - looking at the results I got at this late date, I’ve changed my mind about it and think that technique really…doesn’t yield very realistic results. I did ask a year or so later in a thread by AntonioFP45 concerning ways of mimicking steel, but AlClad still doesn’t doesn’t seem to stock Galvanized metal finish. Antonio described a technique which I didn’t have much luck with.

Looking around for an image to demonstrate what I mean, I found this discussion on how to PAINT GALVANIZED steel (how to paint real world galvanized metal different colors, not paint plastic models to resembled weathered galvanized). Anyway, he mentions this

First, what is galvanized steel? It is steel that has a zinc coating to increase the steels corrosion (rust) resistance. Most galvanized steel is created by a process called hot-dip galvanization and a common characteristic of these steels is their display of Spangle. Spangle is just a fancy word for visibly large crystalline grain size

Aha, sort of a dullish light greyish color, with a bit of a light metallic sheen, and a mottled finish - that’s the finish I’m looking for…except I have no good ideas how to reproduce it. Light flat grey ain’t cutting it.

Suggestions, everyone? (Weathered galvanize in good condition, no rusted or corroded metal techniques please)

[strider]

I spray the part Floquil silver and let it dry. Take a very fine pore sponge, like the kind they used to pack a Proto 2000 0-8-0 steam engine, and cut a small piece (1/2 in X 1/2 in X 1 in) then just barely dip the end of the sponge in Floquil primer grey. Pat the end of the sponge on a paper towel untill most of the paint is off (like dry brushing)then use it like a stamp and stamp it over the silver. turning the sponge between stampings so you don’t produce a pattern. For newer galvanized metal leave it that way. For older galvanized metal that hasn’t rusted spray with dullcoat. If I knew how to upload pics I’d add a pic.