A question for the weathering experts - fading paintwork

[28ten]

I want to fade some Bauxite vans whats the best way to go about it? I have read somewhere about using gouache..... any pointers? 
:wave: Pugsley...... ?

Edited for Jordan 

 

[iploffy]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

What do you think I have been up to today Painting or should I say attempting to paint. I tried a technique that Lancer told us about using a white undercoat then Painting Bauxite over the top in a hap hazzard fashion then distressing it with a fibre brush well after leaving the top coat of colour to go off I went at it with quite pleasing results Pictures to follow tomorrow as the matt black on the underframe has not had any time to cure

Ian

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

I want to fade some Bauxite vans whats the best way to go about it? I have read somewhere about using gouache..... any pointers? 
:wave: Pugsley

I'm confused. You look just like the Guv'nor there, Pugs....

I've recently done a bit of 'faded' paint on my GP40.
I painted the base colour (orange in this case) and let it harden, then attacked it with a fibreglass pencil and some extremely fine grade wet'n'dry paper (1200 grit, used wet) to knock it down a bit. Then wash over it with orange thinned a bit and with a touch of white added. After that's dry, some dry-brushing with more orange & white, finally airbrushed over with a thin coat of white, and Testor's Dullcoat matt varnish.
That's how I did it, and it seems to have met with general approval so far.

 

[Dan Randall]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

I want to fade some Bauxite vans whats the best way to go about it? I have read somewhere about using gouache..... any pointers?

Hi Cynric

I managed to get a reasonable faded look on a Slater?s BR Shoc Van.  This is how it started out?.

 

[28ten]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

Thanks Dan, that looks promising  how do you intend to fade the Blue on Rifleman?

 

[Dan Randall]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

Thanks Dan, that looks promising  how do you intend to fade the Blue on Rifleman?

You're welcome Cynric. 

As for fading Rifleman's paint, I think I have a plan.  :scratch:  I believe the accepted convention with models is to finish them in ex-works condition, then start attacking the paintwork to make it look distressed and weathered.

With Rifleman, I thought I'd be different and try and get the distressed look from the outset.  I'm pretty happy with the yellow cab fronts and to be honest, I rather like the look of the blue so far....

 

[iploffy]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

Fantastic puts mine to shame still lots to do

Ian

 

[iploffy]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

Well here goes dont laugh too much . I have still got to dull the frames down and weather the side of the van and paint the roof.

Ian

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

I want to fade some Bauxite vans .... any pointers? 
:wave: Pugsley...... ?

Edited for Jordan 

Ah, gotcha Boss.

Bear of small brain now understands...  :-[

 

[Pugsley]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

You rang?  ;D

Yes, gouache can be used to quite good effect for fading, but it's something I've moved away from TBH, especially for planked vehicles.

It's very effective on vehicles with flat panels and large ribs, such as Seacows, but I've found that it pooled in all the crevices of planked vehicles and locos with lots of panel lines, such as 08's and 58's.  For planked wagons, I'd either use a spray fade, or washes of Tamiya acrylic white, which has the benefit of needing to be sealed before you do anything more on top.  I have got some oils that I need to experiment with a bit more, but I expect I'll still use the Tamiya paints for the fading, unless the oils perform better when heavily thinned.

Some images below demonstrate the effects (and the pitfalls  )

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

The swirling effect looks like you've started with a thin wash of paint, Ian?
I always start with solid colour, that way there's a good base to work from. The thinner washes come later, and won't take off the paint all the way to the plastic if you get carried away.
I'm always impressed by those who can use water-based paints like acrylic & gouache over enamels; I always have trouble getting them to adhere well, without the 'repellant' affect happening. Also acrylic can dry so quickly on the brush it's almost useless for the usual dry-brushing technique, I've found. I must be doing something wrong. :-[

 

[Phill Dyson]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

I'm always impressed by those who can use water-based paints like acrylic & gouache over enamels; I always have trouble getting them to adhere well, without the 'repellant' affect happening. Also acrylic can dry so quickly on the brush it's almost useless for the usual dry-brushing technique, I've found. I must be doing something wrong. :-[

mmm.......I've had similar problems weathering the platform walls on my terminus with acrilics, the problem I have had is subsequent washes make the base acrylic colour wet again  , life seems simpler for this kind of thing with enamels  :scratch:

Phill  :wave: 

 

[28ten]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

Thank you Dr Pugsley  I have some Abteilung oils to try at some point. I will do some experimentation with my Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics, I can see the problem with the 09, but it might work on a Western? I take it you are just using a very fine spray of acrylic white?

Phill, I have moved away from enamels and I actually feel more comfortable with acrylic. I am also one of those people who sprays cellulose for the main colour.

 

[Phill Dyson]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

T
Phill, I have moved away from enamels and I actually feel more comfortable with acrylic. I am also one of those people who sprays cellulose for the main colour.

Yes I like them too, perhaps my mistake was to use them for the main colour as well ?  :scratch:

 

[Dan Randall]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

You rang?  ;D

Yes, gouache can be used to quite good effect for fading, but it's something I've moved away from TBH, especially for planked vehicles.

It's very effective on vehicles with flat panels and large ribs, such as Seacows

I'll say it is - that's a cracking Seacow Pugs. 

If Hornby ever decide to dip their toes in the 7mm RTR market, I hope they kick off with some of these.


Regards

Dan

 

[Simon Dunkley]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

I generally use a thin wash of BR coach grey - I don't use unadulterated white if I can help it.

 

[iploffy]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

See if this is any better after a few coats of wash and a general dirt splattering

Ian

 

[Pugsley]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

Yes I like them too, perhaps my mistake was to use them for the main colour as well ?  :scratch:

Possibly, were they from the same manufacturer?  In theory, once acrylics have dried, a further application of thinners shouldn't re-wet them, especially the more water based ones.  I've experienced Tamiya paints being re-wet by their thinners, but it was an extremely thin wash to start with - slightly thicker washes don't seem to have the same problem.

 

[Pugsley]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

Thank you Dr Pugsley  I have some Abteilung oils to try at some point. I will do some experimentation with my Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics, I can see the problem with the 09, but it might work on a Western? I take it you are just using a very fine spray of acrylic white?

It should work on a Western just fine.  One technique that's worth considering is to paint the gouache on virtually neat and then remove with a fine grain cosmetic sponge, moistened with a mix of 50/50 water and car screenwash.  It's quite a laborious process, but can give quite good results.  I'll post a pic of a 33 I did using that technique later on.

I mostly spray a fine mist of white, but will occasionally use a very light grey.  I sometimes add a tint of the colour that I'm fading, if you see what I mean, depending on the exact result that I want to acheive.  I'll post an example of that later, too.

 

[iploffy]

A question of the weathering experts - fading paintwork

Last one and then Matt varnish