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Posted

I've noticed that the notion of weathering seems to fall into two groups: Those that do not weather models, and those who weather them to the point that the subject appears to be a derelict.

I've seen many military models with weathering to suggest use and wear, but the vehicle still looks quite serviceable.

With model cars, including dioramas, weathering seems to mean making the subject look beat to death. I realize that sometimes the subject is meant to look that way, but where are all the cars that look like a perfectly servicable, but used daily driver? Where are the buildings that look lived in, rather than looking as if they should be condemned?

These questions are raised so I can hear other opinions. I have no interest in promoting one style over another. This is just my observation.

What say ye?

Posted

That's what I mean. Your truck looks perfectly servicable, and safe to drive.

This is about as far as I go, usually. Weathering is obvious, yet the vehicle itself is still in good running condition.

Jan16_02.jpg

Posted (edited)

I weather and force the contrast of details on just about everything I build. But I don't care for the heavy handed dirty look usually. It often looks like (and sometimes is) a cover up for poor work underneath. I think part of the trick to pulling it off well is to not make it the focal point, but just an accent.

Even the nearly brand new LFA I am working on has some level of weathering/shading on most of the pieces.

Edited by Scale-Master
Posted

I once asked the same exact question years ago over on that "other forum" when I was a member there... I remember specifically, because all of the "weathered" models, like you said, looked like absolute wrecks. Apparently "weathered" meant "complete wreckage" to those builders.

I don't think too many people do the subtle, "real world" weathering that you're thinking of. A few do... a few on this forum, in fact, bit it seems that for most it's either completely pristine and looking like it just rolled off the assembly line, or it's a hopeless wreck. Not many modelers go for the "used but not abused" look (aside from the military guys, who do it almost all the time).

Posted

I once asked the same exact question years ago over on that "other forum" when I was a member there... I remember specifically, because all of the "weathered" models, like you said, looked like absolute wrecks. Apparently "weathered" meant "complete wreckage" to those builders.

I don't think too many people do the subtle, "real world" weathering that you're thinking of. A few do... a few on this forum, in fact, bit it seems that for most it's either completely pristine and looking like it just rolled off the assembly line, or it's a hopeless wreck. Not many modelers go for the "used but not abused" look (aside from the military guys, who do it almost all the time).

With weathering (something I have done only on rare occasions), your camera and your eyes are your very best research tools. Pay attention, especially if going for that subtle, slightly used, dirty but serviceable look to how dust and road splash accumulate on a car body. Unless the car or truck has been out in a mudhole, literally, there will be definite patterns to how this all happens. For example, in the winter, there will be salt stains down the sides of a car, and probably all over the back if it's snowy, slushy weather, and you should notice that the rear of the car will have more than the sides, definitely more than on the front. The windshield likely will have at least some salt/grime on the glass OUTSIDE of the wiper paths. Side windows will have at least some as well, but the roof, and top of the decklid? Likely little if any.

Again, take lots of pics of real cars, from all angles--digital pics are virtually free except for the paper and printer ink/toner if you make prints, you know.

Art

Posted

Good advice, Art. Too often we see "weathered" models where the rust or dirt or wear are applied in ways or places that wouldn't happen in the "real world."

I've seen "rusted" Corvette models... ;)

Posted

I like to airbrush murals and graffix when I can, One of the artists I like to fallow on youtube and study is Jaime Rodriguez. I've adopted some montras you could say, now that I've started to use my airbrushes to model with. He says to "high light your shadows, and shadow your high lights" I've found that a little wash on a nice thin coated airbrushed part really brings them to life. Not to add to much "age" but just show that its not dipped in testors paint. Thats one thing I've noticed the most about the airbrush aloan, is the abiltiy to paint something but not fill in all the nooks and details like I did dip it in the bottle..even with out a wash after.

Posted

I've seen "rusted" corvettes in real life... ever see a plastic door molding on a chevy 1500 pick up rust? I've got a Tahoe at home if you dont believe me :rolleyes:

Corvette fenders don't rust. Ever. :D

Posted

Thats kinda like watching a 1080p HD movie, almost too real to be fake !!!

Awesome job on that !

Did you see it in the magazine? It was a cover feature. B)

Posted

Lately, the weathering I'm doing is more along the 'derelict' lines...because most of what I'm doing as of late is destined for the junkyard dio I'm doing on my buddy's G-gauge model railroad layout. For that dio, 'derelict' is appropriate(and requested by my buddy).

Speaking as a native northeasterner, real vehicles are generally rougher here than in better climates

Posted

Thats kinda like watching a 1080p HD movie, almost too real to be fake !!!

Awesome job on that !

Thanks Shane and Harry. :) I wanted it to smell like hot oil, race gas and scorched rubber... :P

Posted

Did you see it in the magazine? It was a cover feature. B)

To my loss, no I didnt, I've only seen three issues. A subscription is on my list of things to do this year.

Thanks Shane and Harry. :) I wanted it to smell like hot oil, race gas and scorched rubber... :P

...you know I almost can. It would be something to swab the under side of the display platform with a dab of av gas before you showed it. :D Is that the big trumpeter kit ?

Posted

To my loss, no I didnt, I've only seen three issues. A subscription is on my list of things to do this year.

...you know I almost can. It would be something to swab the under side of the display platform with a dab of av gas before you showed it. :D Is that the big trumpeter kit ?

Yes it is. I thought about that trick but SWMBO would return it (and me!) to kit form. :(

Posted

This subtle weathering looks to me to be a real art. Doing just enough to look like you didn't do any. I would have no clue how to do this, but all the examples are really impressive.

Posted

i admit i go mostly for the junkyard look as that is the diorama i have been working on for the last few years. most of the cars i build are barn find accidents or total junkyard vehicles.but every now and then i like to do a daily driver and i have done some models to look like decent cars that a junkyard might sell.here is one of those.

Captured2008-10-1000026.jpg

Captured2008-10-1000023.jpg

Posted

Cato, i remember that GT40 build, i think you posted pics of it here when you built it? very nice work on that kit and yeah, the weathering you did just made it even better and more realistic.

Thank you Dave.

When you use the MIG pigs, do you 'fix' them with a clear flat overcoat? If not, isn't the model difficult to handle? Does static cause it to lift?

I used air brushed mists of Dullcote, Nato black, primer, Smoke and Jet Exhaust because I was afraid to dust the car with powder.

Posted

Very good conversation going on, folks. Just got home from work. Dave, the above looks excellent. If you want to fix the mig pigments, they have a product called pigment fixer and it works very well, and the stuff won't rub off.

I think part of the dynamics of why so many builder--myself definitely included--go over the top with weathering is that lately the military builders have really been inspiring lots of model builders out there to push the limits by doing really nature-beaten vehicles, even burn out specimens. I think part of it has to do with a variety of extremely fun techniques, like hairspray chipping, salting, and using pigments, in particular to do mud, dirt, dust, rain and rust streaks, grime, you name it, they have it out there.

Right now AK-INTERACTIVE is putting out some amazing products. This is a new company started by Mig Jimenez who founded MIG PRODUCTIONS, but then left to start AK-INTERACTIVE.

The products are easy to use, and overuse without really having adverse effects on the model. Many are oil based so if you don't like it you can wipe it off.

Anyway, I am delighted by this topic, and I hope everyone continues to participate.

Posted

I've been having a lot of fun with the community build, that's about as rusty and weathered as I've ever gone. I guess I've always looked at that kind of building tech more for diorama stuff, or to tell a story. Most of the stuff I've ever built has been how I would do it in real life, I have some friends who keep trying to get me to do some rat rod builds, but I wouldn't do it for real life, I would end up spending all that time to rust it out, then go over it and finish all the welds to prep for paint. It is defenitly a form of art 100%. Guys get stupid big money to paint brand new cars to look 50 years old.... not sure I understand the buyer, but the art is amazing

Posted

I continue to be more impressed by this forum. Starting a topic such as this in most other locations will get you burned alive by someone somehow being offended. I have to admit a small part of my motivation was to test this board's membership.

What we have here is a relaxed discussion, exactly like I hoped. Kudos to you all.

I do agree with Dr. Cranky on one point. Some of the effects are so cool you just HAVE to use them. Also, as in the post earlier, if you're modeling a junkyard, the extreme effects are certainly appropriate.

Posted

Tom, your test of the forum proves what many of us have known for a while and it's why many of us (myself very much included) are here on this FORUM, and not some place else. Here you have a right to exercise your imagination and the discussion is wide open when it comes to weathering topics, or anything that else where would be considered "too dark" and bad for the kids.

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