Non Destructive weathering

Bob 81C

Active Member
I'm trying to find a method of non destructive weathering for some limited edition wagons something along the lines of water colours, most of them are presents from the wife and daughters and they would be horrifed at me putting a colourant on them.

Bob
 

Overseer

Western Thunderer
Have you looked at weathering powders? I think even Humbrol make them now, or there are a number of US and Japanese manufacturers. They are widely used by military modellers and some railway modellers. Artists pastels can also be used, either draw on or file some off the stick to make powder. Some are more waxy than others so would stick better but take a bit more cleaning off if you need to.
 

Spitfire2865

Western Thunderer
Even weathering powders are not truly non-destructive.
Many of the more commercial ones have a fixitive in them to help them stick, and once on, youll always have some colouration unless you can polish every corner of the model.
There really is no non-destructive weathering available as any coating needs to actually stick and survive at least light handling.

Im not sure what youre hoping for in terms of response.
Watercolours probably wont even stick to the model as they require soaking into the canvas.
 

Bob 81C

Active Member
Have you looked at weathering powders? I think even Humbrol make them now, or there are a number of US and Japanese manufacturers. They are widely used by military modellers and some railway modellers. Artists pastels can also be used, either draw on or file some off the stick to make powder. Some are more waxy than others so would stick better but take a bit more cleaning off if you need to.
The wagons must clean up as per original, powders are one idea I have tried but they do need a coat of fixative on top to keep it looking OK constant handling will affect the finish, a friend
has recommended "Modelmates " dye products I have some on it way to trial on an old scrap wagon
 

Shedman

Active Member
Purely a personal opinion, but I think brand new stock (with the odd ex-works item) spoil a layout as it never looks realistic. I know it is sometimes hard to `dirty` a nice clean model, but just keep them in a display cabinet in that case.
 

Bob 81C

Active Member
If the wagons have to be returned to original state I would be inclined to source secondhand versions and weather these instead.
They are limited editions which are very rare and don't come on the market that often so that idea is out of the window I'm afaid thanks anyway.
Purely a personal opinion, but I think brand new stock (with the odd ex-works item) spoil a layout as it never looks realistic. I know it is sometimes hard to `dirty` a nice clean model, but just keep them in a display cabinet in that case.
I model 1939-40 Devon/ Dorset there are not many RTR wagons around for this area they are Puffers Bachmann L/E models averaging out at £30-£35 each were ideal for the job I was originally going with Powsides kits but I suffer with Arthurightarse in the thumbs so it precludes doing lots of kit work these day.
Thanks to Bogusman I will check your thread out.
 

Bob 81C

Active Member
I've decided on the now obsolete Model Mates washes it was first suggested by good friend GrahameH aWT member, I collected
most of what I needed at Alton Models my local store today and didn't leave much on the shelf colours I failed to get will
be collected by Graham from his local store in Exeter (I think) and handed over later this month when we meet up.
 
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Boxbrownie

Western Thunderer
Years ago I used some ink pens that would fit in an air brush type component, they were/are used widely by graphic artists and are water soluble, I still have half a dozen wagons or so packed away which look just as good weathered as they did 20 years ago!

They were Pancolor pens as I recall, unfortunately after searching the web I can find no information, I guess Graphic Arts is all done in Adobe now.

But what I do know is the watercolour wash/ink although quite robust does wash off after a soaking and leaves no residue.
 
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