What type of paint is needed to weather models?

When it comes to weathering models successfully, a mixture of techniques, research, products and equipment are all required to achieve desirable effects, and each element is as important as the next. Here we are looking specifically and what types of paints are needed and why.

Effective weathering often results from the application of many considered layers. After all, a real boat, crane, train or car etc will not have acquired its lived-in or aged appearance from one specific source. Paint, for example, will have been faded by the sun, dirt and grime will have accumulated from multiple sources including enthusiastic lubrication, engine oil discharge, natural weather conditions, mulch and exhaust deposits. Rust will appear in more vulnerable and usually localised spots and paint will be dried out or flaking. When you look at an ageing prototype in that way, it's no surprise that there is no all-in-one modelling product that can produce all of those effects in one go and in the places that you would expect to see them. For that reason, models require many layers of different effects built up in the form of washes, paints or pigments to achieve a realistic weathered look.

Washes are used a lot by modellers when weathering. They comprise a layer of paint so watered down or thinned, that the original paintwork or colour scheme of the model clearly shows through but with a slightly faded effect. They are ideal for creating faded paintwork or for adding grime and dirt depending on the colour of wash used. When using washes it is impossible to emphasise enough to keep them thin to avoid overdoing it.

The next weathering product used is regular modelling paint. It might seem obvious, but pigments and washes seem to steal the limelight a little when it comes to the subject of weathering. Although for many larger effects on models, full-bodied thick paint would be overkill, for localised areas of axle grease or rust, good old fashioned modelling paint is used. What you may find surprising is the number of colours involved in creating such small effects with many modellers meticulously researching rust spots, fire damage or oil smudges to firstly apply the correct colours, and then merge, smudge or streak them together to provide the desired effect. This technique is achieved using thinners, a brush and a lot of patience.

Pigments are also becoming increasingly popular to create some weathering effects. Pigments are one of the ingredients of paint and come in powder form. When used in weathering, they have the added advantage of producing texture as well as colour. This is especially useful for creating rust, fire damaged metal, mud and exhaust deposits.

Lacquers are also used a lot in weathering. A lacquer acts a lot like a clear varnish and creates a clear impenetrable layer. Lacquers are useful when weathering because they create a seal between painted layers meaning that any merging, smudging or streaking applied to an active layer, doesn't affect any work carefully applied to a previous layer. A layer of gloss lacquer can also be used to help washes naturally run into panel lines or grills to replicate grime build up in a way that is difficult to achieve on purpose. In addition to this, the finish to a model can be influenced by a coat of matt or gloss lacquer as desired.