10-06-2016

I have a Bachmann Gramps Tank Car that I have been running for about 10 years. I decided to weather it using Ultimate Clay Based Weathering Washes. All the washes were applied by airbrush although you can brush them on too. Once applied I let them dry for 30 minutes then I worked them with a #2 flat brush. You can also remove the wash with a dry or damp paper towel and/or q-tips.

First the surface needs a smooth finish prior to applying the washes. I airbrushed a couple of coats of acrylic gloss (Alclad II Lacquer Aqua Gloss Clear) and let it dry overnight.

Here is the glossed tank car, trucks and wheels, reference pictures and Ultimate products. I did not need to use any thinner.

I started with light dirt and allowed it to dry.

Using a #2 flat brush, I removed the wash.

Sprayed some mud, earth, dark dirt and rust colors and allowed them to dry. Then I brushed off what I didn’t want.

Added some streaks of sand color and let dry.

Working with the flat brush it came out looking like this.

Worked it some more with q-tips and attached the weathered trucks.

Rattle can sprayed with a matte UV clear. This also tones down the weathering a bit.

Pros: The clay based weathering products are non toxic, non flammable, water based and don’t smell. Also if you didn’t like the way it turned out you can just wash it in water and removed the weathering (before you seal it with the matte coat).

Cons: Cost. The set of 8 colors cost about $45 without shipping. I have used the light dirt as a base coat so if I weather the same way, I will maybe get 8-10 cars out of that bottle. I see the other colors lasting much longer.

Tommy

Rio Gracie

Nice job!

I like the picture before the application of the UV clear. That’s why I usually do not seal the weathering on my cars. I get the weathering just the way I want it, and then the clear coat undoes part of it. To protect my weathering, I handle the weathered cars from underneath (usually).

Nice job, and nice write up Tommy.

I was having the same problem with the Clear’s propellant removing the ‘perfect’ dust.

Then I stumbled upon: Krylon ColorMaster, Acrylic Crystal Clear Flat.

It is a very fine mist that will settle and seal, I’m outside so I need calm days. The 1st coat is from a distance and fogs more than paints it on, then I can go back with a more direct aim. I won’t settle for less now.

John

Yeah, I agree about the UV coating. I also liked it better before then after I sprayed the UV coating. In my second try, I also went back and touched up the Gramps car a little.

I am going to have to try that Krylon ColorMaster, Acrylic Crystal Clear Flat.

Thanks

Tommy(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

Rio Gracie

Nice weathering job, Tommy. I too like the pre-UV coat version.

Looks great, Tommy. All it need now is a few oil runs down the side. I brush-painted the runs with gloss black acrylic after the weathering powders were applied and sealed with matte UV clear.

Bob

10-14-16

So on my second try I used an Aristocraft Union 76 tank car. This car ran for many years in Arizona on Duncan’s (“that’s MR. Dimmer to you”) Sun Dancer Railroad (SDRR) prior to being acquired by the Rio Gracie in 2012.
Once again I started with a water based gloss coat over a washed and dried tank car. Gloss coat was allowed to dry overnight.

This time I sprayed various colors of washes to the car and let dry for 30 minutes. On the previous Gramps car, I sprayed, let dry and wiped each color individually.

(http://largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_6229/Airbrush%20Weathering%20with%20Clay%20Washes/TankU2.jpg)

Then I wiped off what I didn’t want.

(http://largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_6229/Airbrush%20Weathering%20with%20Clay%20Washes/TankU3.jpg)

It still didn’t have the effect I wanted, so I resprayed a light dirt coating.

(http://largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_6229/Airbrush%20Weathering%20with%20Clay%20Washes/TankU4.jpg)

After drying and removal of wash, I sprayed it with rattle can Rust-OLeum Matte Finish. It still looked too light. Also I found the Rust-Oleum Matte seemed a little flatter than the Krylon matte I used on the Gramps car.

(http://largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_6229/Airbrush%20Weathering%20with%20Clay%20Washes/TankU5.jpg)

I then added some Bragdon Powders to bring out more weathering. I also attempted to add some wet oily spots and drips at the hatches.

I also touched up the Gramps car with the Rust-Oleum Matte and weathering powders.

Here are my weathered cars. The RS-3 only has a bit of weathering powder on it. That engine is next for an airbrush clay wash weathering.

The brand of clay washes I use is Ultimate Modelling Products (UMP)
Ultimate Weathering Wash. I have the Mega Set

I ordered mine directly from UMP who are located in the UK.
A weathering mega set is currently $43 US or individually at $6.60 a bottle.
Shipping to the US is about $10 US for 0 to .5kg (1.1 lbs) and $16 US for .5-1kg (2.2 lbs).

ump weathering-washes

Hobbyworld-USA carries the weathering clays at $65 for the Mega set or individually at $9.00 a bottle.

hobbyworld-usa ump-weathering-washes

Tommy(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

Rio Gracie

Worth the effort, Tommy. Looks very realistic.

Tommy,

Great weathering effect on the tank cars.