Hi, I’m starting to put together my town buildings. I’d like to get rid of the ‘plastic" look on the exteriors. I don’t really want to "weather’ them per se, just get rid of the sheen. Most are Walthers Cornerstone or Bachmann Spectrum. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! George
Testors Dul-Cote flat spray lacquer is what I use. Apply it before you put in the windows, though, because it will fog them up, too. If the windows are already in, or if there are other parts you don’t want to flatten out, use small pieces of blue painters’ tape to mask them out while you spray. (It stinks to high heaven, by the way. Do it outside.)
If you’re going to mortar your bricks, that should be done before applying the Dul-Cote.
Spray the building with Dull Coat. Don’t spray with the clear windows installed. I assemble the walls, then paint, if that is what you want to do, then spray on Dull Coat. Now add the clear window material.
I hope this helps.
Depending on how you mortar and what you use, the end result can also take off the gloss look. For older brick I liberally apply a mortal wash and then very lightly use a cloth to rub off some of the excess after the paint is somewhat dry. This leaves a thin coating on the surface. Others here have suggested spraying on the mortar then coloring the brick.
Also a spray painting of weathering can help too (see other post on general weathering material).
I paint my Walthers bldgs with grey primer that I get with the Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon.
Then I use what ever Acrylic paint that is on sale. Then I use a “dirty wash” & dry chalk or powders.
I used a blue “Sharpie” on the trim & windows to look like peeling paint.
I used redd “Sharpie” on this one for the trim.
There’s another thing to consider now, before you assemble the buildings: Interior Walls & Lighting.
If you are planning to light any building interiors – do a “dry (before glue)” building mock-up with a small light bulb. You may then see a disturbing thin wall translucence. It can be as simple as spraying a darker “FLAT color” on the inside building walls.
Many modelers print graphics to simulate interior rooms, such as a restaurant or library or storefront, that are in-turn lighted, with needed interior walls then assembled using sheet styrene, limiting interior lighting to only a small portion of the building, and then after assembly check again for leftover “light leaks.”
You may need to rehabilitate not only a glossy wall exterior, but a wall interior surface as well.
Hi!
I’ve been at this (building plastic structures) for a long time, and early on realized the best thing to do is paint them completely. I typically use a flat testors or other brand hobby paint, and usually apply Dull Cote afterwards. Gloss paints are appropriate for some things, but very, very few.
Mobilman44
Hi, Thanks all for the tips. Sounds like some sort of painting is the first thing to do. I did install some interiors on a building already. All interior walls were painted flat black. I then found some pics on the web, reduced them to fit and put them inside behind the windows with a light behind them. Worked well.
So…if I paint the exteriors and them use a mortar wash, I may not need the dullcoat? George
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