Garden Railway Forum

I have been toying with the idea of having more effective rust by creating a thicker texture in places. can anyone recommend what can be added to paint to make it thicker so it can be dolloped on if that makes sense?
barry

How about stirring in some corn starch?

Well I actually don't know what starch actually looks like. But thanks for the suggestion Iwill do some research.
Barry

Simply spraying several coats, allowing for drying time in-between should produce a thick layer.

Leave the lid off the tin for a few days.

Hi Barry

I agree that the texture is important when weathering.

I use some dark brown matt enamel and thin it down, then put a small amount on a brush, then coat the wet brush in humbrol "rust" weathering powder. I then dab this on where i need it. I find that once its nearly dry, give it a good rub with a toothbrush and that should achieve the desired effect.

The weathering powder is about 4 quid per jar but it lasts for ages...about 25 weathered wagons now and i still have half a jar left.

Hope that helps

Jim

Blimey wasn't expecting so many answers. I did wonder if Talcum powder would be an option but the weathering powder seems a good choice. Not sure about leaving the lid off a tin for a few days, doesn't that reduce its life somewhat?

many thanks for the replies !
Barry

Those clever people who do military and games figure modelling are masters at this. If you have a 'Games Workshop' branch near you, buy from their selection of acrylic paints which are just superb. Amongst the range of colours are some with a gritty texture which attach to any surface, dry quickly and can be shaded and weathered..... brilliant!

My word Peter Butler that sounds exactly what I need.... Mind you Games Workshop are bloody expensive....

I agree the cost seems a lot at the time but the quality is unbeatable and they do go a long way.
Once you try them I think you will be converted.

sstjc:117652 wrote:Not sure about leaving the lid  off a tin for a few days, doesn't that reduce its life somewhat?

I'm not sure what you mean by "life". New tins of Humbrol gloss red sit on a shelf for a week with the lid off before I use them, and all it does is make it usable.

Thanks for that Peter, I am definatley going to give them a go, no idea such a paint was out there.

Great tip!

Cheers

Jim

Bit late to the party as ever...

Thickening: I've reduced paint by gently boiling off solvent or adding fuller's earth. Corn Starch/Custard Powder can make strange things grow..

sstjc:117652 wrote:Blimey wasn't expecting so many answers. I did wonder if Talcum powder would be an option but the weathering powder seems a good choice. Not sure about leaving the lid  off a tin for a few days, doesn't that reduce its life somewhat?

many thanks for the replies !
Barry

Hi Barry

I've been using talcum powder for years as a means of turning gloss paint into matt. Still use it now when dulling down the paint on the smokebox of my locos. I think it was an old trick I picked up from CJ Freezer when I first subscribed to Railway Modeller in the previous century. It certainly thickens the paint as well as 'matting' it. It's a lot cheaper than weathering powder methinks - especially if you get it from a pound shop.

Rik

Now that sounds quite interesting and I guess will make the paint as thick as you want. Thanks Rik...
Also I went into Warhammer which was Games Workshop looking for the gritty paint mentioned earlier. The guy in there was very interested in what I was using it for and suggested Typhus Corrosion Paint which is a darkish Brown and he sjhowed me some examples of its use. It has a sort of flaking property which I thought was quite good over a light surface so I will give that a try as well....

Again many thanks for all the suggestions !
Barry

'Typhus Corrosion Paint' is the one I thought about but forgot its title.  Please let us know how you get on with it and possibly some pictures too?

Don't know if this pic. is clear enough, but I used Talc and coloured chalk powder to create the rust, oil and grime on this tractor.
Grant.

Like the effects of that a lot... and yes I will Peter.
Barry

Grant, your tractor is just amazing..... you must spend hours on detailing but well worth the effort.