I just bought some graphite sticks so I can weather a model tonight. I plan on scraping some flecks off, the rubbing it on the plane and protecting it with future floor wax. Is this a good way to go, or does anyone have a better way of doing it? I am not ready to try the oil based wash yet.
I should clarify that I am not trying to make it look like it just took a mud bath, just some simple weathering showing panel lines and various stains.
I never clear coat after I put the pastels on. Never liked the effect and also reduced them visually. After the pastels are on, the kit becomes hands off territory.
To be honest, I don’t think acrylics will work over future. I strongly suspect it is water-based as well. Thus, the solvents might damage your future coat. I also work with acrylics mostly. What I do, is to spray a clear enamel or Tamiya’s clear spray (X13, I think). That does not get affected.
The wash: you made the thin wash. Now just take a brush and you can either brush it on where you want it, or let it syphon into panel lines by just dropping in a little. Either way, you end up with a rank mess. I then wipe a cloth/earbud with a little bit of thinning agent (for acrylics that’s either Tamiya acrylic thinners, Windex, or whatever your preference is) over this “mess”. You should end up with a cleaned up model, with your recessed darkened.
Best is - try on a scratch piece to get what you’re comfortable with.
I use Pastel (chalk) powder. Spray color coat, let dry. Do panel lines, chalk dust. Spray clear. Decal. Add more dust, if necessary. Spray light coat of dull or semi-gloss.
One note, spraying over the dust can lighten it, so you generally have to use more than you’d initially think!