Topic: Question... Mud & Dirt..

[StenHunter]

Ok, so I'm working on a mech type vehicle and I want the legs and waist to appear dirty and muddy and all caked up. The idea in my head is to simply apply some dulcoat and then sprinkle with real dirt... allow to dry and then touch up with paint to get contrast differences..

What are some other ways of doing this?

Here is the example pic of what I'm trying to accomplish.



Thanks in advance!

[Commander_Kurgan]

In military modelling, I used pastels to dirty up my vehicles.
Might work for you as well.

[Clonehead]

I have heard of that same technique. some even mix the pastels into their paint to give it a more grainy texture.

I seen a toy version of that mech in Target today. It's looking good, by the way.

[StenHunter]

I'll experiment on a piece of extra styrene tonight and then see if I'll be up to it on Saturday =) I REALLY want to show the caked up dirt and I don't know if chalk by itself will be think enough.

Thanks!

[Reconsgt]

as much as I dislike Apple Barrel paints by nature, they do allow for some decent "mud and crud" Hobby Lobby has a tone oif other types of brands.   They shrink a little and have some good earth tones, they dry with a chalky look in many cases. I used it on the mud on some of my old models back in the day, I also used some other arcylics depending on if I wanted a dry or wet look. I wouldn't recommend them for anythin on customs rather than dirt.

[Luke Sprywalker]

I would not take the actual dirt route. I agree get some cheap paint, mix in some powder to make it chunky. Use one of the cheap stiff craft brushes from walmart or any older brush. You can apply it think or thin and build on it later. I works pretty good to kind of stab at it to simulate mud and use some splatter later to finish it up. Just my way not saying it is the only way. Post some pics when you get this started.

[spudafett]

to simulate splatter get an old toothbrush and lightly dab the brissles in the paint your want splattered and then run your finger across the brissles so that it splats onto the model/toy. 

[narceron]

just like on the ST6 board, another great use of the tooth brush is to make dull paint shiny by "micro abrasion"
LOL

I think you can still buy the "weathering" kits from respectable hobby shops, they have various terrain specific sets, as I recall, but mostly a set of four mud/earth colors that are meant to be rubbed on.

[DocOutlands]

I understand a lot of military modelers also use baking soda for caked-on mud and dirt.  Not yet tried it myself.

[Swamp Fox]

as much as I dislike Apple Barrel paints by nature,  I wouldn't recommend them for anythin on customs rather than dirt.

Please give me a background on this.  I live in rural North West Michigan and there is'nt any hobby shops around so I am stuck with Apple Barrel from Walmart, besides the airbrush paint I bought from the internet.  What do you suggest for general use paints for doing the custom figures and
Ken

[Reconsgt]

My personal prefernce for customs in general is Testors Acryl,  I get mine at hobby lobby.  Citadel paints a re good, if you don't have a local hobby shop, the net may be your only chance other than dealing with folks on the boards here, many will help you get the brands and colors you want.

[StenHunter]

I use polly S paints which I bought in lots from ebay. They stick well and are inexpensive when purchased in large lots.