Hey guys, I searched all the key words I can think of, and can’t find a good topic on various Barrel weathering techniques. I need to add some char on mine wednesday evening, and was hoping someong had some good suggestions. I believe I can use thinned Tamiya smoke to achieve this affect? Is that any good? Thanks in advance!!
I have not used this technique yet, but have heard it works very well. Take a no. 2 pencil and sand off some of the lead using sand paper, then rub it onto your barrel.
Good luck.
mark956
I just use pastels. Black and/or brown.
Before you do this, be aware that there is some consensus that the soot seen on some models’ barrels isn’t historically accurate at all for WW2 era cannon (I’m just assuming you aren’t doing a Napoleonic piece). The advances in powder just didn’t leave a black soot at the cannon muzzle. Staining that’s occaionally seen (emphasis on occasional – look at period photos and you’ll see what I mean. Most show little to no darkening near the muzzle) is explained by two phenomenon 1) staining due to the continual swabbing and cleaning of the barrel tube itself or 2) discoloration of the barrel paint due to the heat of the muzzle blast itself.
Given this and what seems to be the lack of real photographic evidence (note whitewashed gun tubes that are still white at the muzzle!) to the contrary, I’d say be very very subtle in weathering the tube.
BTW, I’d use crushed pastels or pigment powder to lightly dust the barrel end.
The only blackened tubes i have ever seen where on Iraqi tanks in ODS. As eric says, generally, in my experience, there is way too much maintenance going on with the American tanks.
I would suggest using a subtle pastel also. However, if you don’t have that, the pencil rubbed on and then wiped with your fingertip would probably get you the same effect.
You could also try a technique I read about many years ago for making smoke damage. Mix a small amount of talc powder with flat black and gently brush that on the area, then wipe with a tissue or your finger again.
Hi guys…
Yep I thinks so as well. Not much is deposited on the end of a barrel. If anything the blast cleans them very well. There is often just a rim of bright steel at the end as the paint does not stay there very long. In regard to WW2.
Deflectors/MB’s can dirty up but that is i think more burning/blackened paint than soot deposits,
All the best and see ya at AMPS in a couple of days
AJ
Maybe you should approch this from a different point of view. The solvents used to clean the gun tube or the oil off an oily rag that was run through afterward to keep the tubes inside from rusting probably left the dark stain. Maybe try to weather it like a fuel stain. More of he staining would be on the lower portions as the fluid would want to run down. Just a thought.
You can also (very very lightly) rub down the barrel with fine steel wool. This gives a slight sheen to the barrel, since barrels were/are generally made from different types of steel and molding techniques than rolled or cast armor plate. I’ve even used a metal bristle brush to get a good effect.
I guess a light application of clear semi-gloss could probably do the same too without worrying about damage to the paint…
Thanks for the tips guys!! I was beginning to think I was finding some horrible photos, because I couldn’t find one with a good barrel stain. I am wrapping up my 1/35 Tamiya Panther (early version), and haven’t found anything spectacular in the gun barrel area. I must admit that I am very horrible at deciphering old Black and white photos…that seems to be an artwork in itself. I just received “The Great Book of Tanks” on my doorstep not 10 minutes ago, and neither of the photos in there show any residue ( i can see at least) either. I suppose this is where my “Artistic License” comes in…lol
I will play with it a bit tonight, and see if I can do anything I feel comfortable with. It is my first piece of armor, and I am very proud of her!! I can’t wait to show it off to you guys. Thanks again for all of the great tips!!
Hi Heath;
This was covered real good on another forum and the consensus was that it is generally overdone. I, personally, will do very little (if any) muzzle blackening from now on.