Weathering a grain elevator

Hi everyone!

I have just began weathering my grain elevator. I am using a metal brush to try to remove a little bit of paint like the paint is chipping.

What do you think? Should I continue like this or stop right now and do something else?

Thanks for your help!

Weathering

Take a look at using weathering chalks. I have found that they are very good at making things look dirty and weathered. Apply them conservatively and add a little at a time. Good Luck!

Def use weathering chalks. I love them for weathering cars and structures. On the grain elevator, I used a faint yellow color to mimc corn or grain.

You can get a set of artist chalks with a wide variet of colors from most craft stores.

Ok so weathering chalks are not the same as pastel?

I wasn’t aware that there might be chalks specifically for weathering. In most cases, chalk will work okay for weathering, but usually needs overspraying with a clear fixative, such as Dullcote.
I use oil-based pastels for weathering. They come in stick-form, with round or square cross-sections, and wrapped in paper, much like a crayon.

I simply rub the pastel stick over coarse sandpaper…


…then dump the resultant “dust” into the clear plastic “blisters” used for small items, such as Krazy Glue…

It’s applied to the item being weathered using older brushes that are no longer suitable for painting.
While much of my rolling stock cycles on- and off-layout regularly, the weathering seems to adhere well, and doesn’t show finger prints, either.
However, I have noticed that if the powdered material isn’t used within a few days, it doesn’t adhere as well.
While I use pastels for some weathering, I often also combine it with airbrushed weathering, the pastels applied last, and usually fairly sparingly…

The AK Interactive (not Tamiya) pencils seem to be pastel sticks and not “chalk”. Mind you I think the powdered products are more correctly described as pastel powder.

A quick google suggests a chalk pastel is not made from chalk but is cast or moulded into a form resembling a true blackboard type chalk. There are four types of solid pastel “sticks” apparently and the soft pastel is the one we want.

The AK product rubs on like pencil lead but I’d still seal it with a quick flat lacquer spray as for a decal. If it rubs on presumably some of it can rub off. Thecproduct is water soluble which is handy for streaking and other weathering effects.

Some nice-looking modeling Wayne. I always appreciate your work[Y]

I think every individual modeler prefers their favorite medium. Through experimentation one can find out what works best for them.

I prefer India ink diluted with alcohol and paint washes for almost anything I weather. I use chalks as well to create heavier weathering effects or to lighten things up.

Someone showed me the use of solid color sporadically before India ink.

Kinda freaky

Mixed my India ink/alcohol solution a little too dark the first time around.

A little scuff here a little scuff there with some ultra fine sheets and sanding sticks.

Some gray washes and chalk dustings lightened things up.

TF

Take a look at these. Not chalks but basically pigments. I’ve used them, they work quite well.

https://www.walthers.com/weathering-kit-1oz-8

I’ve used these as well. They really are basically powdered pigments. The powder sticks to everything so I recommend you set up your model on plastic or paper towel to catch the spillage. After you get your desired effect you seal up the pigment with decal spray or equivalent.

The pigment really does get everywhere.

Thanks for your kind words, TF.

I initially thought that the weathering method that you used on your grain elevator was unusual, but the finished results really show that you knew what you were doing…excellent results!

Wayne

I use powders too.

I keep them in a plastic box like this.

I made this cardboard cabinet to help catch the powders that get into everything. It really helps a lot.

Sometimes I weather lightly.

Sometime heavily.

Could you share pictures of how you do this?

I would love to learn.

-Kevin

Thanks everyone. I will check all your suggestions.

Thanks also Wayne for all your excellent pictures. When are you going to write a book? I will buy one for sure.

Thanks for your kind comments Wayne.

Nice weathering examples Kevin[Y]

Some good weathering pointers and techniques here, Thanks

TF