Hi folks
My latest little project is a Tamiya Mini Cooper in 1/24 scale, not really a remarkable model but the recipient of a new weathering technique. Invented by me!!
Okay not really, some guy named Marc Reusser did something very similar a few months ago, I liked it and stole it. So there.
The result is a much softer edge and finer pattern than the hairspray technique, plus multiple layers of colour can be exposed with relative ease. I think it's good for replicating very old deteriorated paint, sun damaged or oxidised, so that rust or primer has been able to break through the failing top coat. Like here for example:
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2F946906_464199343661384_108910146_n_zpsf610f140.jpg&hash=3307dbcc48a1b410221d4496f9f8be608e53e1f2) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/946906_464199343661384_108910146_n_zpsf610f140.jpg.html)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2F303378_305154562896194_100002049579766_716202_551498835_n_zpsb5590b8b.jpg&hash=041463086f9046131d5270db72441a401545f507) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/303378_305154562896194_100002049579766_716202_551498835_n_zpsb5590b8b.jpg.html)
Here is the model so far, after using the technique:
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2FIMG_7140_zps2fd1069d.jpg&hash=8a3352de03275da11849e0c3178522dc8ab49705) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/IMG_7140_zps2fd1069d.jpg.html)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2FIMG_7139_zpse9eb3501.jpg&hash=979cce386ac8ac633a8f38eb667f8d2ec626e88c) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/IMG_7139_zpse9eb3501.jpg.html)
All paints used are Tamiya acrylics thinned with Tamiya lacquer thinner.
First I airbrushed a coat of dark rust, which was then protected with a good layer of dullcote. This was allowed to cure for a couple of days.
Then lighter rust tones were airbrushed one over the other, then a layer of white, then finally yellow and blue. This was allowed to cure for at least 3 hours.
Then one part water was mixed with one part windex; this mix was carefully scrubbed over parts of the paint with a paint brush. Some water was kept handy to douse the paint in case the eating of the surface got away from me. Windex is a glass and window cleaner, containing Isopropanal, 2-Butoxethanol, Ethylene, Water, and Ammonia, available here and in the US. I'm not sure about other countries.
Some scratches were carefully added with a scalpel or some fine sandpaper.
While focusing on the sun damaged paint on upper surfaces I neglected to add areas of rust in lower spots, from trapped water and gunk. This will be added in further stages.
So that's how it stands at present, cheers!
JT
Wonderful. Thanks a lot for the helpful caption.
Saw it already and really like these soft/blurred edges.
Well done John. :)
Looks like you're off to a good start!
Alexandre and Ray, thanks. It is just a start, I'm hoping the combination with other techniques will compliment the effect.
Cheers
JT
I will also be interested as this progresses.
Quote from: JohnTolcher on June 24, 2013, 03:15:55 PM
Alexandre and Ray, thanks. It is just a start, I'm hoping the combination with other techniques will compliment the effect.
Cheers
JT
Absolutely, it looks like a promising technique for different layers of different effects. Just like HS benefits from traditional foam/sponge technique.
Wow this looks great. Seems much more subtle than using the hairspray technique. Great job!
Chris
Hi guys
Thanks for the comments, cheers!
JT
Hi folks, here's some progress photos:
The motor painted, dusty and oily.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2Fbcca3ee7-f03d-4efe-bc9e-b11269805316_zps6193e2ce.jpg&hash=67592be50454b78a3cb8215bb80327cae53c374c) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/bcca3ee7-f03d-4efe-bc9e-b11269805316_zps6193e2ce.jpg.html)
Here some oil paints were used to add rust stains and streaks, the kits chrome parts were aged with a spray of dullcote. I made new side windows from clear plastic, they are glued in with Tamiya acrylic clear varnish, clean up on the clear parts was with Tamiya lacquer thinner (being careful not to melt the paint with that.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2FIMG_7225_zps156916c7.jpg&hash=a437d9065f4417577c0b83a865a2c2e1ea26b367) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/IMG_7225_zps156916c7.jpg.html)
Thanks for having a look, cheers!
JT
Continues to look like most Mini's I remember - did you perchane see that the last last Mini off the line has been discovered abandoned at the works: and very badly damaged with most parts pirated away? Still fetched over a hundred and twenty grand though - Sterling at that!
That looks awful (in a good way) John
What are the top coats you are using with this technique? acrylic or something else?
Cheers
Jim
The finish on that engine and engine bay is fantastic and the details such as the grimy grainy oil stain on the rocker cover are brilliant.
The engine in particular is fantastic, John. It takes me back to my student days - I had an estate version - so much so that I can almost feel and smell the oily grime.
Satisfactory progress at this stage. -- Russ
That looks fantastic! -- Dallas
Thanks for replies gents.
Hi Andi, I didn't see that one. They built them here too, my sister had a yellow one a bit like this -well in a lot better condition!
Hi Jim, the base and top coats are Tamiya acrylics which are strictly speaking lacquers I think. I suspect the interaction between windex and these paints is the secret, I'm not confident that it would work with others. But I could be wrong!
Here's another update, getting close to finishing now.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2FIMG_7228_zps137bbf83.jpg&hash=0b56fa42eb30083085ae48be7c2387d88070fad4) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/IMG_7228_zps137bbf83.jpg.html)
The wheels are on, with a fine spray of mud. This is a mix of pigments and pigment fixer to make a wet slurry, then picked up on an old paint brush. My airbrush was then used to blow air through it, spraying the mud.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2FIMG_7235-01_zpsbc6dc64e.jpg&hash=6753764966536dbfb78bd65ef0ee1011601bed34) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/IMG_7235-01_zpsbc6dc64e.jpg.html)
As you can see the tail lights and sundry small items have to be painted and added, then some last oil paint effects and a very light filter/dust.
Cheers
JT
This is really looking superb John. Bravo!
Will it pass the MOT inspection? The fading on the blue door is especially nice.
It might :)
There's a different MOT for classic cars and none of the rust looks structural. There's talk over here of abandoning it alltogether for classic cars (which sounds like a really bad idea to me) as well as freezing the year that a car becomes a classic.
Good tip on the airbrush through a paintbrush, I might try that for dead flies on the front of a loco.
Cheers
Jim
That is looking really great. The whole thing is seet, but I particularly like the blue door and right front fender.
There you go... now you will need to build a world class diorama so that you do not diminish the realism of this model.
Ho-hum. How mediocre .... -- ssuR
Thankyou guys for your feedback!
I'll also take this opportunity to upload some of the images that were linked here.
Cheers
JT
Okay I'm calling this finished. As usual its rustier and dirtier than I originally intended, what can I say - I just love banged up old stuff!
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2FIMG_7286_zpse34d8d67.jpg&hash=2f9e81799fb5d28b5909d01cf8ec4e224c48dc66) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/IMG_7286_zpse34d8d67.jpg.html)
Cheers
JT
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2FIMG_7284_zps597fb859.jpg&hash=57108de85cf679efa9accad8c19439f665d34265) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/IMG_7284_zps597fb859.jpg.html)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk536%2Fjtolchet%2FMini%2FIMG_7287_zps2ce7cb1a.jpg&hash=542a22dec026ad06be0c4446299aa6621d2fc2fc) (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/jtolchet/media/Mini/IMG_7287_zps2ce7cb1a.jpg.html)
Most satisfactory. -- Russ
Beautiful! The fading and rust are spot on, and the mud technique is brilliant.
One small item bothers me... the tail lights, and the front turn signal lights, seem a bit too shiny considering how dusty the rest of the car is. But that might just be an effect of the photographic lighting.
Beautiful job all around, and these dirty windows are especially beautifully done. :)
Another beauty from you. Just splendid.
FWIW, a way to resolve the issue that Ray pointed out with the "too bright red tail lights",...a lot of these plastic light covers would darken and fade with age, I found that by painting them to the desired darkness/shading/effect, with Tamiya "Smoke" pretty well replicates this effect.
Many thanks all for your great comments.
I did add the tail lights and other small items after most of the weathering which explains why they look too bright, because I was using oils and white spirit which I thought would frost the clear parts.
I put this aside when it was 'finished', so I could come back to it with fresh eyes. But I think I will take up your advice, thanks Marc!
Cheers
JT
Looks a lot like my brother's Toyota hatchback which only this year failed to pass inspection after 27 years in Washington, D.C.
Shouldn't the hood support be a broom handle?