Alexei Volkov
Painting rust on plastic models is a fun way to make your models look realistic. There are many ways to achieve this effect, from using ready-mixed multi-step products to hand-painting with water-based acrylics. The first step is to paint your model with a base colour, such as black, and then apply a layer of the chosen rust-coloured paint. You can then experiment with different techniques, such as dry-brushing, stippling, and washes, to create the desired level of corrosion and weathering. With a bit of creativity and experimentation, you can make your models look like they've been exposed to the elements for years!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint Colors | Burnt Sienna, Mournfang Brown, Wild Rider Red, Nihilakh Oxide, Ryza Rust, Fire Dragon Bright, Verdigris, Burnt Umber |
| Techniques | Stippling, Drybrushing, Airbrushing, Handbrushing |
| Tools | Brushes, Hair Dryer, Airbrush |
| Products | Dirty Down's Rust Water Soluble Paint, Vallejo's Black Airbrush Primer, Agrax Earthshade Wash, Liberator Gold, Ironbreaker, Vallejo Rust Model Wash, Retributor Armour, Leadbelcher Spray |
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What You'll Learn
Using ready-mixed products like Rustall
There are several ready-mixed products available on the market, such as Rustall, that can be used to create a rust effect on plastic models. These products offer a quick and easy solution to achieving a realistic rusty look without having to mix paints or use multiple techniques.
To use ready-mixed products like Rustall, follow these steps:
- Start by painting your plastic model with a base colour of your choice. Black is a good option for achieving a pronounced rust effect. Use a spray paint that is not water-soluble to ensure that your rust effects do not remove the base coat.
- Prepare a wash of a colour like Burnt Sienna. Cover the object with it, and use a paper towel to soak away any puddles that form.
- Apply the ready-mixed rust product, such as Rustall, following the manufacturer's instructions. This step may involve shaking the container, applying the product with a brush, or using other specific techniques.
- To create streaks, use a thin, pointy brush to paint thin rusty streaks flowing downward from contact points with metal objects. Subtlety is key here; a little goes a long way. The streaks should fade out quickly.
- For objects with hard edges, like a drum, dry-brush the edges with the rust colour. Leave the rest of the object untouched, except for a few vertical streaks. This technique creates the appearance of scraped-away paint, exposing the metal underneath to rust.
- Complete the Rustall effect by dusting the surface with brownish dust to make it appear even more worn and weathered.
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Applying a base colour
When painting rust on plastic models, the first step is to apply a base colour. This is the foundation upon which you will build the subsequent layers of paint to create the desired rust effect. The base colour you choose will depend on the overall look you are aiming for. For a more pronounced rust effect, it is recommended to start with a black base coat. This is because, over time, an object exposed to the elements will lose its original colour, so a black base coat provides a realistic foundation.
It is important to use a spray paint that is not water-soluble for the base coat. This is to ensure that the subsequent layers of paint applied to create the rust effect do not remove the base coat. You can experiment with different types of base coats, such as a glossy or semi-gloss finish, which will cause the wash to settle into the cracks and recesses of the model, creating a varied texture. Alternatively, a flat sheen base coat will result in a more even layer of rust.
If you are using water-based acrylic paints, which are commonly used for hand-brushed and airbrushed models, you will need to use an acrylic lacquer-based primer to help the paint adhere to the plastic surface. You can apply the base colour with a large, soft, round brush, loosely covering the desired areas.
Once the base colour is applied, you will move on to creating the initial layers of the rust effect. This usually involves using specific colours, such as Mournfang Brown or Burnt Sienna, and applying the paint with a technique called stippling. Stippling involves gently jabbing the paintbrush at a 90-degree angle onto the surface of the model, creating a textured effect.
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![TAMIYA Weathering Master 6-Sets(A,B,C,D,E,F) [Japan Import] Model:](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712LYKQcZyL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Using a wash like Burnt Sienna
Painting rust on plastic models can be done using a few simple techniques and paint colours. One of the most popular colours for this purpose is Burnt Sienna. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a Burnt Sienna wash to achieve a realistic rust effect on plastic models:
First, paint your model with a base colour of your choice. Black is a good option for pronounced rust effects. It is recommended to use a spray paint that is not water-soluble so that your rust effects do not remove the base coat. A flat sheen base coat will result in a more even layer of rust, while a glossy or semi-gloss base coat will cause the wash to settle into cracks and recesses, creating a different look.
Next, prepare a wash of Burnt Sienna. Apply this liberally over the entire surface of the model. If you are using a thinner wash, you may need to repeat this step several times to build up the desired level of rust. Use a paper towel to blot away any excess wash that may have pooled in certain areas. If your model has steep sides, you may need to work in sections and let each area dry before moving on to the next. A hairdryer can be used to speed up the drying process.
For a more severe rust effect in specific spots, apply the Burnt Sienna wash full strength to key areas. You can also mix in a bit of Burnt Umber to create a darker, brownish type of rust. Dry-brushing these colours onto high spots that didn't take as much of the wash can add interesting details.
To dull down shiny metallic parts or deepen shadows, apply a black acrylic wash. You can also add subtle streaks of black or rust colours to areas such as door handles or edges to enhance the weathered look.
Finally, if you want to suggest a metallic nature to the object, dry-brush a thin layer of silver acrylic across the surface. This will deposit metallic specs for a subtle sheen, which works well with flat or semi-gloss base coats.
By following these steps and using a Burnt Sienna wash, you can effectively create realistic rust effects on your plastic models.
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Stippling with Mournfang Brown
Stippling is a technique where you gently jab at the surface of the miniature at a 90-degree angle using a dry brush. The amount of paint on the brush should be a little less than you would use for layering, but more than you would use for dry brushing. You don't want to deposit big blobs of paint, but you also want the markings to be less subtle than a dry brush.
After stippling with Mournfang Brown, you can stipple the model again with Wild Rider Red. This time, be more particular about where you're applying the paint. Narrow down the application to specific areas where you want the rust effect to be more pronounced.
You can further enhance the rust effect by using other colours like dark brown and bright orange. You can stipple on a dark brown, like Rhinox Hide, to create large splotches of armour. Mix in a bit of orange, like Ryza Rust, and stipple on a slightly lighter shade inside the lines. Repeat this process, adding more orange each time, to create a gradient of colour and visual interest.
Additionally, you can experiment with different techniques, such as dry brushing, washing, and airbrushing, to create a more textured and grimy appearance.
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Drybrushing with Ryza Rust
To paint rust on plastic models, you can use the drybrushing technique with Ryza Rust. This paint is designed for drybrushing, with a thicker texture that catches on the raised edges of your model. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
Start by painting the model with a base colour of your choice. Black is a good option for pronounced rust effects. Use a spray paint that is not water-soluble to ensure that your rust effects do not remove the base coat. You can experiment with different finishes, such as glossy, semi-gloss, or flat sheen, to achieve varying results.
Step 2: Apply the First Layer of Weathering
Create a wash of Burnt Sienna and apply it liberally over the entire surface of the model. You can use a thinner wash and repeat this step several times to build up the effect slowly. If there are steep sides, work on one section at a time and let it dry before moving on. You can use a hairdryer to accelerate the drying process.
Step 3: Add Depth and Variation
For more severe rust spots, apply Burnt Sienna full strength in key areas. You can also introduce Burnt Umber for darker, brownish rust tones. Use the drybrushing technique with Ryza Rust to add vibrant, opaque rust details to the most heavily corroded iron and steel areas. Stipple the model gently with Mournfang Brown, followed by Wild Rider Red, focusing on specific areas where you want the rust effect to be more pronounced.
Step 4: Enhance the Metallic Look
Apply a wash of Agrax Earthshade to the entire model to blend the colours and reduce brightness. You may need to apply a second wash for a more aged appearance. Drybrush all the metal areas using your preferred iron and steel paints. If there are gold or brass details, paint them using your chosen recipe, such as Retributor Armour followed by an Agrax Earthshade Wash, Liberator Gold, and a highlight of Ironbreaker.
Step 5: Create Recessed Details
Since rust tends to form in recessed areas, mix Fire Dragon Bright and Lahmian Medium in a 1:2 ratio and apply this to the recesses of the iron and steel sections. You can add multiple coats for a brighter effect, being selective about which recesses you highlight. For any brass or copper areas, mix Nihilakh Oxide and Lahmian Medium in a 50:50 ratio to create a verdigris effect.
With these steps and the drybrushing technique using Ryza Rust, you can achieve realistic and vibrant rust effects on your plastic models. Remember to take your time, experiment, and build up the layers gradually to create a convincing representation of rust and weathering.
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Frequently asked questions
There are multiple ways to paint rust on plastic models. One way is to use Dirty Down’s Rust Water Soluble Paint. First, prime your model or miniature in a black primer of your choice. Then, apply a good layer of the Dirty Down’s Rust Water Soluble Paint to all the areas you want to look rusty. Another way is to use hand-brushed water-based acrylics. You can also use an airbrush for this.
If you want a more severe rusting in a few spots, paint on the colour full strength in a few key spots. You can also paint in a darker brown colour for that brownish type of rust. If you want to create a verdigris effect on brass or copper areas, apply a 50:50 mix of Nihilakh Oxide and Lahmian Medium to the recesses.
Some products that can be used include Dirty Down’s Rust Water Soluble Paint, Mournfang Brown, Wild Rider Red, Agrax Earthshade, Vallejo Rust Model Wash, and Nihilakh Oxide.
