The following are painting and weathering suggestions that might be helpful:
PAINTING—
TYPES OF PAINTS— We will refer to Americana acrylics as “AMER”. (acrylic or water based).
METHOD OF PAINTING—-We use Dupli-Color spray cans for larger surfaces and brush for acrylic paints when painting smaller surfaces.
WEATHERING—
# WASH—We use the wash process often. We think of the process as “layering of weathered surfaces”. It is also the process that ties the final model together. It blends colors together that create a realism that is necessary for an authentic looking model. A wash is a small amount of pigment, (paint, ink, etc.) mixed with a larger amount of thinner. Examples:
Americana paint and water
India ink and denatured alcohol
These mixtures are literally applied to the painted surfaces with a paintbrush or cotton swab. Do Not agitate the surface just lay it on and let it dry. Excess amounts can be removed with a cotton swab.
In the case of ink, we found that 1 ounce of alcohol to 30-35 drops of India ink is a good starting point. On the other wash mixtures, it is entirely up to you, however, we strongly recommend light pigment mixtures. You can always make it darker, but it is difficult to make it lighter.
#CHALKS—(usually done after paint & wash process) Take desired chalk and rub onto a piece of sandpaper. Use a paintbrush (dry brush) to transfer the pigment from the sandpaper to the desired surface. MODERATION is the key word here.
#DULL COAT—Final step in the finishing process is to apply Testor’s dull coat spray. This aids in blending and sealing the finished surfaces.
#Dry Brush—This is a process we use frequently to add a little color influence over another color. Take a paintbrush and dip it into your paint source as you normally would. Before applying the paint to a surface, dry the brush on a piece of paper or paper towel and remove most of the paint. Take the remaining amount and lightly apply it to the desired surface. Repeat this process until the desired effect is found.
#APPLYING BARNICLES TO BOTTOM OF PIER POST—Most of the time you will see thick batches of damp, green/black barnicles at the bottom of pier columns either exposed in low tides or covered in water at higher tides. We use Woodland Scenics Buff talus as the barnicles. We use the coarse C1271. Place a flat pan or plate on a flat working surface. Apply Elmer’s Wood Glue or glue of your choice to the location on the pier post you want the talus to stick to. Holding the post over the pan, pour the talus over it. Let this dry before applying the wash or paint. Excess talus will fall into the pan. Return this unused amount to the original holding container. The final color should be a green-black with a white wash and a shiny/not dull finish sprayed on it. See our notes regarding “painting and finishing.
The following are specific paints that we use regularly and where we have purchased them.
Dupli Color Spray cans
FP102 red filler primer fisher
FP101 grey filler primer fisher
DAP1699 gray primer sealer
DA1605 flat black napa mass
DA1672 flat white napa mass
DAP1689 white primer
DAP 1694 red primer
DAP1690 green fisher
DA1603 semi gloss black fisher
DA1620 royal blue enam auto zone
DA1630 leaf green fisher
DA1684 chrome aluminum fisher
DA1687 Chrome yellow fisher
DA1656 Brown napa mass
DA1689 ft blk napa mass
DE1606 ford dark blue
Krylawn
1026786 12 oz CX satin leather Br lowes
2953486 12 oz fus fusion satin kh lowes
2953502 12 oz fus metallic satin lowes
1026704 12 oz fus matte river roc lowes
Acrylic liquid paints brush on (colors great for making washes)
Delta Ceramcoat
Flesh tan 02035
Red iron oxide 02020
Americana
Flesh tan DA078
Khaki tan DA173
Driftwood DA171
Cadium yellow DA010
Neutral Gray OA93
Dove gray DA69
White DA01
Antique white DA56
Terra Cotta DA62
Sable brown DA61
Greenmist DA177
Jade green DA57
Antique teal DA158
Williamsburg Blue DA40
WHEN YOU BUILD OUR BOAT KITS AND OUR STRUCTURE KITS:
If you have built, or are building any of our boats or structures, we would love to add them to our website’s “Modelers Gallery”.
The Modelers Gallery is located at our home page, just scroll to the bottom.
Please email us your photos, “as an attachment”, and send and related text to:
If you are able, please size them to a maximum of 1025 pixels
(width or length) if not, we will be happy to size them for you.