| Why should you weather your model trains? | | | | brick when you do this and defines some bricks more |
| Whether you are just getting started with model | | | | than others. |
| trains, or you have been enjoying this hobby for a | | | | When was the last time that you saw a roof that |
| long time, there are many different things that you | | | | was perfectly shingled and detailed, especially when |
| can do to make your model train layout look more | | | | you are looking at older buildings? You want to give |
| realistic. You may have already spent a lot of time | | | | your model train layout a homely and well worn look. |
| making sure that your models are to scale, but if you | | | | Using a craft knife, or a sharp flat object, gently pry |
| want your model railroad to look real, you have to | | | | up some of the shingles on your model train building. |
| avoid it looking too new! | | | | Missing shingles are a little much, but if you start |
| Having objects in your train set look too shiny or too | | | | prying some of the shingles out of their beddings, |
| new can be quite distracting. This is why you need to | | | | you will give more texture to the building as a whole. |
| think about how to weather them. Weathering is the | | | | One important tip to remember when you are |
| process by which you can make new objects look | | | | painting on finishes is to let gravity help you and |
| distressed and more worn. It can be instrumental in | | | | guide you. |
| how you take your model train set to the next level. | | | | Think about painting on a finish and having it drip a |
| One product that you should have on hand when | | | | little. This can look great, because in real life paint |
| you are thinking about weathering metal objects on | | | | usually drips down. However, if you are holding your |
| your train set is a can of Rustall. This is a simple | | | | structure upside down, this creates a drip pattern |
| aerosol spray that will allow you to put touches, or | | | | that is very different to what it should be in real life! |
| even whole finishes of rust on various bits of your | | | | Take a moment to look at your finishes and to make |
| model set. | | | | sure that you are getting the drip pattern that you |
| It works best on a surface that has been primed or | | | | need. |
| that otherwise has some tooth to it, allowing the | | | | Weathering is great fun and requires no special skills, |
| mixture to settle. When you spray something with | | | | just a willingness to give it a try. Start with an old |
| Rustall, you'll have a great look of rusted metal and | | | | model or even some scrap plastic, until you are more |
| the more you spray on, the more weathered the | | | | confident. |
| object looks. | | | | By observing the older buildings in your area you will |
| When you are thinking about adding brick buildings to | | | | notice how the elements have faded the paint, |
| your model train layout, think about how you can | | | | corroded the metals, rotted the timber, etc. This will |
| make the bricks look even more realistic. Take some | | | | give you many ideas that you can apply to your |
| diluted latex paint in gray or buff and brush it | | | | model train buildings. Weathering your model train |
| carelessly across the face of the brick. | | | | buildings, locomotives and cars will massively improve |
| Then take a rag and wipe the surface off while it is | | | | the realism and appeal of your model railroad. Give it |
| still wet. The paint stays in the channels between the | | | | a try today! |