Need help weathering a PT boat

TIM wrote: : I'm building a model of PT-109. I want to weather the deck and hull : to reflect the sun and water damage common in these boats. : I'd suggest you look through some recent books on painting and weathering armor models, since car guys tend to build their models "clean", and airplane modelers generally don't tend to panel fade and filter theirs.

Quickly - panel fading would be to paint a surface a ligher color toward the center of the panel, leaving the edges darker, to simulate fading. "filtering" is generally a washing technique, used to break up an otherwise monochromatic surface. I generally prefer oils, on a wet surface (NOT the base surface!) but wet with turpentine, thinner, etc. You can also use this to show rust/grime streaks, as you pull a tiny bit of oil paint down a wet surface, just like it would flow on the real thing.

Oh, and it helps to use say, oils on a cured (semi-)gloss surface. Flat surfaces tend to have too much "tooth", and make it difficult to remove an effect you do not like. A gloss base also makes it easier to (pin) wash your model as the gloss surface allows the wash to capillary along the detail, while a flat surface creates puddles. Flatten when done.

Did I mention not using the same base as your weathering? That way, you don't soften the base surface with the thinner when you wet the surface. Yes, you paint the thinner on the base.

Practice on an old model first, to get some confidence for what you are doing. Really, it is easy to do (and easier to OVER do). It is a lot more difficult to describe, as opposed to show.

While armor would be weather to show dust and dirt, a PT boat should show salt and coral dust or dirt staining, depending on where it was based, as well as a lot of sun fading.

Bruce

Not only did I find stuff on how to paint weather a model ship, I found stuff on how to paint and weather the PT-109 specifically.

Pat

Check out my how to cd on Weathering Ship Models at flagshipmodels.com. LOTS of color photos, tips and techniques explaining the process.

Rusty White Flagship Models Inc.

If you have an airbrush, overspray with a VERY light coat of matt white or very light grey.

Thanks. I found some of these and have used a few to make the model look like it did before it sank. My problem is I didn't quite understand some of the techniques and I haven't done it enough to have a lot of confidence.

Thanks aga>

Thanks I will

, 31 Jul 2007 23:12:34 -0700, Rusty White wrote: