Salt Weathering

Discussion in 'Tutorials' started by clive_t, Sep 8, 2018.

  1. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Hi all,

    As mentioned on my Resurrection thread, I have a very limited experience of this technique. Possibly a little presumptuous to call it a 'tutorial', then... it's probably better billed as a 'shared voyage (not to say roller-coaster ride) of discovery', but having that as a forum heading would be a little odd!

    In fact, the one and only time I have attempted this was back in 2011, and I didn't even use salt - instead, I tried ground black pepper! One could argue that the results are even more hilarious than the very notion of using the stuff, but by way of a preface to this thread I will share the results.

    For a bit of background, at the time I was attempting a large-ish (on an 8x4ft baseboard) G-Scale diorama depicting a stretch of line crossing a disused canal. Intended primarily as a vehicle for displaying my figures when attending exhibitions, it sadly only ever appeared at one event, in an unfinished state. Part of my vision for the canal was for it to be silted up and rubbish-strewn. The fuel drum seen here was to be part of the rubbish, half-submerged in what remained of the water.

    The original item (cast in resin) was obtained from Black Dog Mining Co - very nice people they are to deal with too.

    So, firstly I painted the piece in a flat brown 'rust' colour:

    [​IMG]

    I then stuck a metal pin in the hole at the top and stuck the other end in a cork, thus to avoid touching it too much.

    I then coated the piece in dilute PVA, and rolled it in some ground black pepper - mainly because at the time I didn't have any rock salt! Well, necessity is apparently the mother of invention...

    [​IMG]

    Once it had dried, I sprayed the whole thing with my drum colour of choice - car primer yellow:

    [​IMG]

    Once it was dry, I knocked off the lumps of pepper:

    [​IMG]

    Once done, I painted the top of the drum silver, and added a wash of a slightly different rust colour all over:

    [​IMG]

    I was quite pleased with the result at the time, but of course it remains to be seen what will happen when salt is used instead!
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2018
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  2. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    That is a very interesting technique using the pepper grains instead Clive as the drum looks as if it has been submerged in water and the metal has formed a crust, this is a different kind of look from the patchy oxidizing rust seen on steel coal wagons. In a dereliction scene such as a silted up canal that drum wouldn't look out of place half submerged in a resin backfill and topped off with coarse grass and weed tufts to simulate neglect and decay in an industrial setting. I think the colour choice adds to it enormously and you have certainly captured that "wet" feel found on rubbish just dragged out of water. :tophat::tophat::tophat: Very nicely achieved Clive and very inspirational too for those wanting to create such a scene.:thumbs:
     
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  3. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Gets the thumbs up from me. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs: very convincing.
     
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  4. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Thanks Paul and Toto!

    I made a start on the girder bridge today - the pre-salting rust layer is most definitely in evidence!

    [​IMG]

    Eagle-eyed individuals will no doubt have noticed that I have also made a start on weathering my jeans!

    :facepalm:
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2018
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  5. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    You're not on your own there I very often go about looking like a walking colour chart!:avatar:
     
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  6. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    The youngsters would pay good money for jeans like that. :avatar: ........ save me a pair.
     
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  7. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    The drum/tank has come up nicely. :thumbs:

    I noted that you have used car paints/enamels for the rust and top coat. If you use acrylics for these two layers, after you have removed the salt/pepper, enamel paint can be used to highlight rust and streaking, with the use of mineral thinners. ;)

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  8. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Gary, the paints are all acrylics. For the bridge I have some other washes to apply once the salt has been removed, hopefully these will give the desired streaking effects.
     
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  9. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Instead of salt, why not try sugar.

    Spray the model with hair spray then sprinkle on the sugar, (may even be worth grinding some of the sugar a fine powder) coat in hairspray again, then paint as usual.

    The salt method works because it dissolves when worked with a hard brush and water. Icing sugar may even work.

    Like the results you got with pepper, a hole through the drum would look good.

    Paul
     
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  10. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Thanks Paul, I've used the hairspray method before now, but not with sugar. I may try that on the 'hidden' side of the bridge just for a comparison, thanks for the suggestion! :thumbup:
     
  11. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Just don't turn your back for too long Clive, the ants might make off with your bridge ! :avatar::avatar:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  12. Dr Tony

    Dr Tony Full Member

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    Better black ants for the sugar than white ants for the wood:avatar:
    I'm guessing when using icing sugar, don't use the icing mixture, it has cornflour or something in it to stop it getting all lumpy, but it does not dissolve. I would have thought that it would be too powdery, maybe caster sugar.
    Cheers
    Tony
     
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  13. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    I have some sachets of Demerara somewhere, that's quite granular.
     
  14. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    what wine do you use?

    ian vt
     
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  15. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    That depends on what’s left :giggle:
     
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  16. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    If you have wine left I'm sure IanVT can solve that problem for you

    Sorry Clive

    Paul
     
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  17. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Whatever you're opening Ian! :lol:
     
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  18. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Hi all, bit of a gap in progress as real life intervened as it so often does...

    I have now managed to paint the wooden walkway a basic stone colour, then gone over it with thinned oil paint (burnt sienna flavour :)) Once that was all down I then rubbed some of it back with a dry paper towel:

    [​IMG]

    More RL interruptions over the next week or so, but I will apply some other colour gradations when I get the chance. Hopefully then we can get to the interesting bit!
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2018
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  19. Kimbo

    Kimbo Staff Member Moderator

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    Very nice Clive, great job.
    I think it will be a shame to put it outside in the UK weather, send it over here and we’ll look after it for you in the Aussie sunshine :thumbs:
     
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  20. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Lol Kim, I have a cunning plan to save it from the rain, I have some exterior grade 'Mod Podge' with which to coat the whole thing at the end. Well the wife has, she just doesn't realise that it's mine too :scratchchin:
     
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