Masquing Fluid or other things

[paintner]

So I am sitting here about to paint a tank.

I want it weathered and dirty etc. and got a tip from a friend to use masquing fluid before I put down the base colour.

Only problem is I don't have any such product and have to order it and it will take around 1 week to get.

 

So anyone got a good tip what to use instead?

 

I am thinking things like PVE glue but that could be to hard to get of and/or destroy the layer of coat.

Also thinking blue tac but it might be hard to get as random and patchy as a fluid.

 

Also seen people who basecoat, put colour on parts the ywant to be damage then apply water and salt (I think it was) on those areas then airbrush over and then remove the salt.

 

Any tips/ideas on this would be helpful. Fingers are itching to make this tank atm =)

[winterdyne]

If working by hand:

Sponge stippling / drybrushes / brush stippling

 

By airbrush:

The hairspray technique is a good one that works very well at simulating appropriate wear.

 

Prime black. Spray the model metallic (I like gunmetal tones, but some folks prefer a brighter silver).

 

GLOSS IT. A good solid coat of hardwearing gloss varnish. Future/Klear is ideal if you have it.

 

Spray it with hairspray. Give it quite a nice even coat. Allow to dry.

 

Now spray a primer colour - use an 'authentic' colour, so quite often a grey or red.

 

Hairspray again.

 

Now spray your base colour, do any postshading then filter / modulation coats. Basically anything you don't varnish for.

 

Now get a tub of warm water, some cocktail sticks/toothpicks and a toothbrush. Use moistened toothpicks to do fine scratches (the warmth and water will soften the hairspray and cause the top coats to flake quite nicely) and open up the coats. Use the toothbrush to simulate abrasive wear (so leading edges) by brushing in the direction of wear. Again a little water (not too much!) on the toothbrush will accelerate the process.

 

When done, gloss varnish it all again, and then do your oil washes etc.