Modelers, can someone give me some suggestions on duplicating rusted exhausts on tanks? I’m working on a Tiger 1 and have seen many examples of exhaust with that powdery rust look, but no tips on how to do it.
Here’s a very good rusting technique. You’ll want to paint the rusted parts black and then use a rust color and go over them. The effect you want is almost like pre-shading. A good color is Humbrol 133. Also, soak some steel wool in water until it dissolves into rust and let the water evaporate. You should end up with a powder. Get some Iron or Ferrous Sulfate. Mix it with warm water until it is about the consistency of milk. Then mix baking soda with warm water until it is the consistency of milk. Use a separate brush for each solution as you don’t want to contaminate either. Brush the baking soda onto the part and then the sulfate. Let dry. For a lightly rusted part one coat is sufficient. For a more heavily rusted effect such as a muffler, use 3 or 4 coats. If you want a heavy coat of rust, apply the rust powder onto the wet part and let dry. The effects are quite astounding.
I think you lost me. I soak the steel wool in water to get the rust powder. That I understand. Then you mentioned two other items. These are used together and in conjuction with the rust from the steel wool?
Yes. The steel whool [sic?] is optional. Use it only for heavy aplications of rust. Get Iron sulfate. It is also called Ferrous Sulfate. (ferrous/iron, same thing on the periodic table.) Then mix the Sulfate with warm water in a glass jar. Mix plain baking soda with water in another jar. Then brush the baking soda solution onto the part. Brush the Iron/Ferrous Sulfate mixture onto the part so the two solutions mix together. wait for it to dry. For a heavier rust coating, add the powdered, rusted steel whool[sic?] onto the part while it is still wet from the solutions. Sorry for the unclear instructions. You should be able to get Iron/Ferrous Sulfate from a chemical suppy store. Also some hobby shops stock refill chemicals for chemistry sets. That is where I got my Iron/Ferrous Sulfate. Modeling and Chemistry do mix. 
[tup]Another thing you could do is click on the window labeled “search” right below where it says “ARMOR”. Then enter Rusted exhaust. [:O] You’ll get a lot of techniques explained. Also, just enter rust. [#toast]You’ll get a lot back from that also.
Dissolving steel wool seems like fun and all, but here is the easiest way to make a rusty part: Go to a craft shop and purchase a rust antiquing kit. It will cost about $10.00. You will get two good size bottles. One has what is basically liquid iron (iron particles in a paint like substance), the other bottle triggers the rust (you put it on after the liquid iron dries). No muss, no fuss rust.
Thanks for the “tip”. I guess I would have never thought of doing that. Even with me being on this forum as long as I have been. [:O]
I do mine a bit different , and simpler ,not worrying about replicating rust texture in 1/35 scale , which would be miniscule to be honest . Anyhow , this is how I do mine , …I paint the part to be rusted , flat black first ,let that dry fully , then hit it with burnt sienna acrylic or oil paint , ( the kind you find in tubes in art stores ) , then a few small spots with tamiya primer red here and there , perhaps a few dark brown as well ,… it looks pretty close in the end . If you want texture then hit the part first with Mr. surfacer 1000 let dry a minute and stiple with a brush a bit.
Burnt sienna oil is also my choice for rust streaks on armour , put a small dot where you wish the rust to begin and simple pull down with your brush , bingo ,… instant streak .
Using powdered and rusted steel wool is good. You can go for a simpler solution. Basecoat your part in a dark-red brown, then while the paint is still wet, coat the part in baking soda. When dry, apply several washes of light and dark rust colours. SInce it is a wash, it will not hide the texture, and will give you exactly the look of a rusted part.
Simpilfy, simplify…[;)]
I just use the Testors acrylic MM paint product called “Jet Exhaust” at Hobby Lobby.
It has a brownish rust base mixed with some soot black as well as some metallic paste in it to give you that “flecked bare metal” look where the paint peels off from the heat of exhaust.
You can literally control the amounts of each element (since they settle) by how much you actually choose to mix the paint before you apply it, thus actually varying the shades out of the same bottle.
No need to break out the chemistry set with the calibrated beakers, etc, or what to do with excess product, etc.
Tom T [C):-)]
Thanks for all the great tips gentlemen! I will definatly be trying some of them on some scrap plastic to see what happens!
Thanks again! [:D]
how about really simple-- i use MM ‘burnt metal’ or flat black followed by MM acrilic ’ rust’-- with a touch up of of burnt sienna – or a shade of orange pastel-- [:D]-- thats about it-- more paint or pastel – more rust[:P]-- treadwell
This is just my two cents, but I like to coat an exhaust pipe in plastic cement and then sprinkle baking soda over it. I then add a little mor cement.
Place a light primer over this, and voila, you have a rust texture.
315rooster,
I use a similar technique except that I simply brush paint the exhaust and/or muffler with a base coat of rust color and while it’s still wet, roll the item in baking soda (microballons work well also). To get dings and dents in a muffeler, grind out areas with a Dremel tool, needle file and sand paper before painting. Put a dab of flat black paint in the bottom of some of the deeper ones to represent where exhaust gases are leaking out of holes.
Well,lets see here…
First, Flat black, with MIG rust and black soot powder applied:
Then we have the “baking soda” technique:
I would recommend just getting some weathering powders. IMHO, they are the best way to apply the rusted look.
Steve
Well, here is my rusted a55 [:D]
Flat black, and light brown, and dark brown, and red brown, and a splash of semi gloss black.
For the texture, it is tamiya cement and baby powder.
Easy [;)]
Ben
I go with the baking soda approach. First hit it with a coat of liquid cement, then dust it with bakling soda. Let that dry then paint it black or gunmetal followed by burnt sienna, then rust.