Weathered models, beaters, and wrecks.

[Darin Bastedo]

Ok I'm most likely going to be taken to the woodshed for this one, but it is a pet peave of mine. I've noticed that a lot of the weathered models and beaters rarely recieve the same level of care and detailing that the shiney ones do. I'm talking about the basics that make any model look real and are the things shiny model lose major points for in contests. Such as;

Trim and moldings not detailed, either through paint or BMF

Mold lines sanded, and seams filled.

Interiors detailed

There also seems to be a complete lack sometimes of any research into how particular cars deteriorate. I've seem over the years 55 Chevy cameo rear fenders rusted (they are fiberglass) and things like that. I think too many people believe that if you are making a model of a wrecked car the basics of modeling don't apply, but it is just the opposite. To do a correct beater you must build a well built model and then make it look abused.

[Harry P.]

...but it is a pet peave of mine...

...pet peeve...

[Eshaver]

Here is one I did back I guess in 1990:

I mixed flour along with acrylic paint to do the mud . The paint was Testors Metal Flake Purple .

Ed Shaver

[Foxer]

I tend to agree with you, Darin, but it IS like others have said and it depends on the builder. Some don't add BMF or even paint to the trim when they build a showroom clean model.

When I do a "beater" I take the same care as when I build anything else. As an example is a '55 Cameo I did with RUSTED fenders! In my explanation of the build, I gave the excuse that it was a "early prototype of the Cameo with steel rear fenders". Just about anything can be done if you make excuses! I did this with all the BMF and detail I usually do and it WAS that much better for it.

[Darin Bastedo]

I tend to agree with you, Darin, but it IS like others have said and it depends on the builder. Some don't add BMF or even paint to the trim when they build a showroom clean model.

When I do a "beater" I take the same care as when I build anything else. As an example is a '55 Cameo I did with RUSTED fenders! In my explanation of the build, I gave the excuse that it was a "early prototype of the Cameo with steel rear fenders". Just about anything can be done if you make excuses! I did this with all the BMF and detail I usually do and it WAS that much better for it.

Thankfully yours wasn't the one I was refering to, as I hadn't meant to call out anyone, But yours is a good example of a weathering job that was well done, that could have been better with a bit of research.

[MikeMc]

The level "you" build to is a personal call. I have built only 1 "weathered" truck..it was much harder than a shiny , BMF'd , and detailed build I like to do.

We have to be PC here..but a lot of it still comes down to bad pictures....with or without details...But as Dr C will tell you...weathering takes time and patience.

[Foxer]

Thankfully yours wasn't the one I was refering to, as I hadn't meant to call out anyone, But yours is a good example of a weathering job that was well done, that could have been better with a bit of research.

I know you wern't calling anyone out in this thread .. that's just not your style. I DID put myself on the table, though, and I'd be interested in what you see that could have been researched more. I like critics of my work and maybe it can work in this thread as example. Please feel free to dirty it up!

[Darin Bastedo]

I know you wern't calling anyone out in this thread .. that's just not your style. I DID put myself on the table, though, and I'd be interested in what you see that could have been researched more. I like critics of my work and maybe it can work in this thread as example. Please feel free to dirty it up!

the only thing I can see that some reserch would have helped is the whole rust fiberglass thing. the rest of the model is very nice

[Longbox55]

the only thing I can see that some reserch would have helped is the whole rust fiberglass thing. the rest of the model is very nice

I did notice one thing that stuck out to me, besides the rusted fiberglass. The 5 lug wheels. '70 and earlier 1/2 ton Chevies were 6 lug.

[Foxer]

the only thing I can see that some reserch would have helped is the whole rust fiberglass thing. the rest of the model is very nice

oh sorry. I thought I explained that. This is the line just before the first photo:

INSPIRATION: This appears to be an early prototype of the Cameo with steel rear fenders. Obviously, fiberglass was the right choice of material for the production model!

My explaining the fender rust was the point of my posting that build. Since you had used the Cameo as an example, I figured my build was the perfect choice with the reason pointed out for all to see.

Sorry about the confusion .. should have explained more in first post.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Foxer

[Harry P.]

I like critics of my work and maybe it can work in this thread as example. Please feel free to dirty it up!

Aside from the fact that fiberglass doesn't rust... , I'd say you nailed it on the rust detail. It looks very authentic, and it's happening in all the right places.

[whale392]

This brings to point what should be second nature: 1) good basic build techniques are a must, no matter the build style. 2)subject knowledge (to include research) is imparitive for proper results, also no matter the build style.

[Foxer]

Aside from the fact that fiberglass doesn't rust... ,

hehe I guess Harry can't read either. But thanks for the comments on the rust.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Foxer

[Harry P.]

hehe I guess Harry can't read either.

I can read just fine... just a little friendly jab...

[Dr. Cranky]

Did someone say "weathered?"

[VW Dave]

Yeah..I think they did say 'weathered.'

[Longbox55]

I kept the weathering light on this one, just a bit of dirt and grime (artists chalk) on the body/wheels/frame, plus some grunge from a previous load in the bed. This truck is not intended to be a well kept or restored truck, but rather a truck that's only maybe a year old or so, as it's going to end up in a diorama set at that time period.

Here's a shot from the back. It's hard to make out, but it does have a '78 Illinois plate on it.

On the other hand, this one just got back from the mud pit. The mud is a mix of Polly S and Woodland Scenics.

[diymirage]

one thing i often notice on weathered builds is that the story calls for a car that has been sitting in a barn for the last 32 years but somehow it has brand new tires on it

(even my regular "showroom builds" often have to shiny tires on them)

any tips from the masters on this ?

[Foxer]

one thing i often notice on weathered builds is that the story calls for a car that has been sitting in a barn for the last 32 years but somehow it has brand new tires on it

(even my regular "showroom builds" often have to shiny tires on them)

any tips from the masters on this ?

You can just say that the new tires had to be used to roll it out as the originals were missing.

Some dull coat helps a lot to age tires and dirt and dust (washes maybe) can get them looking old and unused.

[Foxer]

I better add my favorite pickup here ... the Cameo with the PROTOTYPE STEEL fenders!

BTW, the driver's door is a fiberglass replica.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Foxer

[59 Impala]

Nice builds so far. Here are some of mine.

First a 57 Chevy 150.

Next a 49 Ford.

Thanks fer lookin. Dan

[59 Impala]

Here's a couple more.

A 41 Willys

A 40 Ford

Thanks fer lookin. Dan

[Dr. Cranky]

LONG LIVE RUST!

[scalenut]

some great weathering jobs here !

[Dr. Cranky]

Weathering is something that some people do well & others - well - it's not their thing.

I have built a few 'distressed' models before - & I've had the most fun w/ them.

Here area few in no particular order:

'71 Duster - just a fun "what if I want to restore this while also using it as a daily Driver?" look.

'85 Escort - Built as a "this is what my friends High School Ride would look like today"

I did a lot of research on this one - basically to figure out what would have melted in the fire. turns out there is a TON of plastic in a new mustang!

This one is more subtle. I wanted it to look like it was dirty from racing - but not super muddy or 'overdone'. pretend it was a relatively dry stage.

Wheelman, these are great. I love the burned vehicle in the 3rd picture. I hope more car builders keep trying out the techniques that the military builders have been working on for the last couple of years. Burned subjects are very cool and require lots of research!