Wow, I haven't done rust in yonkers. I did it once on a model and it was a lot harder than I expected to get the look right.
Of course, I was working in something like 1/24th scale and I was self taught so it made life hell for me.
The technique I went with was called a "wash". I mixed rust colored paints with a thinner (not actual paint thinner, a clear paint designed specifically to thin paint without destroying the coating properties). Then I dry brushed the "Rust" wherever I wanted rust to appear on the model. I eventually lost patience and made a mess of things.
Hey, give me a break, I was like 10 or something.
On a full scale you have a couple of options. If it's never to be touched, powders work well. It's either a powder in a jar that you brush on or a stick that you rub on. Either way gives you control on how much "rust" is applied. The jar powder sometimes can't be clear coated, the stick usually can. Places like Michaels would have it. Scale model stores would have it too, like scale railroad.
Paint works, mix and match the colors. Don't stick with one color. Use at least two, sometimes three depending on the "metal" you want to simulate. Theater props sometimes use this technique because it's so quick and easy. If you can find a place that sells paint, they would have rust colored paints.
Rust has texture too, so you can add it by using powder. Either the rust powder I mention above to ensure color consistency. What I saw used talc (I don't recall if it was real talc or corn starch) to get the texture. Take care though, you don't want a soupy mess. Scale modeling stores and theater stores. Talc can be bought anywhere. Experiment.
For a project that size, you can go with the real deal. Use something like metal stick foil (avoid the non-corrosive materials) in the areas you want rust. Then give it an oxidizing bath to force accelerating the rust process. Never tried it, but I imagine Hydrogen Peroxide might do the trick.
Do a Google search for things like modeling rust, accelerating rust, simulating rust, etc. You are definitely not the first person to ask such a question so it makes sense to look elsewhere. Scale modelers (auto, tank, airplane, railroad), theater, science students. I've seen case modders do it often, but I only recall one that ever documented how it was done. A Half-Life PC that I can't remember where the link is anymore.
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Topic: Rust finish? (Read 3167 times)
