weathering black space vehicles

[tiking]

I am working on my first converted anti gravity vehicle which i have painted matt black. I know, not exactly the best choice of color to weather. But I have already laid down the color and I would like to know how does one weather a vehicle that has matt black has it's main hull color without looking over done? Some worn look would be nice. Thanks.

[Space Ranger]

Dry brush and/or post shade with various shades and tints of dark grays to break up the overall starkness of the matt black. The best thing would have been to start with a very dark gray finish to begin with, but I doubt you want to strip the paint and start over.

[tiking]

Thanks for that. Nope. I do not want to strip the paint. I already ruied parts of it trying to do it so I like to avoid that process. Any particular dark greys? Should I just go over the entire hull with dry brushing with the greys?

[Space Ranger]

There are so many shades of dark gray in so many different brands and types of paint that it's hard to say which ones you should use. What I suggest you do is paint a test object (an old kit hulk or a piece of plain sheet styrene) with the same matt black you have already used, then start experimenting with different shades of gray (or other colors; blues, browns, even red) until you get the effect you like. I wouldn't try to achieve a consistent finish; different areas of your vehicle will weather differently, depending on its use. An armored vehicle, for example, will experience fading on the upper surfaces exposed to the sun, while the bottom and running gear will accumulate mud. And the whole thing will be covered in dust. Even a fictitious vehicle should be weathered in a realistic manner so as to preserve the illusion of reality.

You can also use a wash of thinned paint to bring out recessed details (panel lines, grilles, hatches, etc. I usually use a highly thinned wash of Tamiya Smoke myself, but I mainly build 1/72 aircraft and keep any weathering to a minimum.

Make sure that the paints you use for weathering are compatible with the underlying base coat. If it's enamel, use only enamels or water-based acrylics for your weathering. You can also use artists' oils, but these require a different set of skills and take longer to dry.

[roymattblack]

I know it isn't Sci-fi, but the engine bay in my Citroen Traction Avant is matt black, weathered down to look used and grubby.

It might be of help?... Look at the last bit of page 5:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234977671-18-citroen-traction-avant/page-5

Roy.

[tiking]

Thanks space ranger for your suggestions. Much appreciated.

[tiking]

I know it isn't Sci-fi, but the engine bay in my Citroen Traction Avant is matt black, weathered down to look used and grubby.

It might be of help?... Look at the last bit of page 5:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234977671-18-citroen-traction-avant/page-5

Roy.

Just took a look. I love the effect u got from using various colors, brown, red etc. I will definitely give it a try. Thank you.

[Flektor]

Instead of using greys to weather it, just rub the paint with your finger so it becomes slightly shiny in places say at leading edges. If you need a finer point to your weathering use a pencil eraser.

[tiking]

Another great tip. Thanks.

[jargonking]

I use Humbrol 33 Matt Black as the starting point then once dry I drybrush with Revell 09 Anthracite followed by Humbrol 32 Dark Grey. I then drybrush random panels with a mid grey to lighten them further. I have an old Testors colour called Rubber which is a black/brown which is useful to further highlight certain areas.

[tiking]

Thanks for the tip. When you drybrush do you do the edges of the black with the dark grey? My build is almost complete.

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Yup.....It helps the edges 'pop'.

[tiking]

Ok thanks.