Sparkles on newly stained/ weathered plaster rocks?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

Just finished staining and painting my rock castings and have a problem. For the filler between the rock faces and for some flat rock areas I used drywall joint compound. The end result of color and weathering looks great, but when you look at the job at certain angles, there are diamond dust-like sparkles all over. This is even after dry brushing and chalk weathering. I tried a very very light wash of airbrushed flat white paint, but no good…still sparkles. How can I knock down the sparkles and still retain the finish on the rocks? Could I try a lightly applied acryl dullcote dusted on w/ airbrush? I spent about three hours getting these rocks right…I’d hate to start over. Thanks so much ----Rob

2

Don’t know about the sparkles, maybe use to your benifite and model a dimond mine. Have open hoppers hauling out diamonds. Mike

3

If the sparkles are from beneath all the covering you have added, and still interpose themselves, then you will have to to an opaque layer of acrylic, probably very light gray, and then re-stain.

4

I agree with Selector, drywall compound has a sparkely effect that I don’t think you’ll get rid without first primeing.

5

[#ditto]

I use drywall joint compound myself. There’s no way you’re going to get rid of those sparkles without priming.

6

Say it’s mica. It’s all over the place in granite rock formations. Tell people how hard you worked to model the mica. They’ll be impressed, both at your modelling skills and your knowledge of geology.