Best Weathering Pastels/Paint/Powder/Etc. For beginners?

The various washes made by Flory Models are my go-to for weathering aircraft now.  They're water-based, so you can remove as much or as little of the excess as you like with a damp sponge or Q-Tips.  The best part is that they won't attack the paint on your model and give you consistent, predictable results.

A good place to start might be Tamiya weathering sets.  They are a compound that comes with a rubber make up like applicator with a brush on the opposite end.  You smear the rubber end on the material and then on the model.  It gives you super control and is very easy to use.  It's like a semi wet powder.  Each compact comes with 3 colors.  I think they have 5 or 6 different sets.  You can create soot, mud, oil stains, exhaust stains, and several more.  A set is something like $11.  I find using over a flat surface works best.  Try not to touch it as you can leave fingerprints if not sealed with a clear.  

Remember to use a very small amount.  It's easy to way overdo any weathering technique.

One idea.

Artist chalk pastels.

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=chalk+pastels&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Don't buy oil pastels though, you can't grind them up.

If you have a hobby lobby close to where you are or any ar supply store I'm sure you could find a good selection.

Mig productions makes a massive selection, also AK interactive. 

Vallejo makes acrylic weathering productics that are good if you don't want to deal with enamel stink.

Oh man WP, you opened up a whole can of worms. You are going to get initiated with a variety of answers. Everyone has different ideas and none of them are wrong.  Most will give you great ideas to try and see what works for you. 

For me, it depends what I'm trying to do from washes to oils and pastels. 

I am a beginner to weathering and have tried oils and pastels, I like the oil paint thinned with spirits.

TheModeler

Hello all

I decided I wanted to once and for all go into the world of weathering tools.Well,not to my surprise,there are literaly hundreds of weathering tools/pastels/powders on the hobby market for weathering.I have no idea what I am looking at here.I figured,maybe somebody could give me a list of your experiences,and wether I should use paints,pastels,or powders for weathering/rusting.

Thanks

Max

Eaglecash867

The various washes made by Flory Models are my go-to for weathering aircraft now.  They're water-based, so you can remove as much or as little of the excess as you like with a damp sponge or Q-Tips.  The best part is that they won't attack the paint on your model and give you consistent, predictable results.

 

I literally just picked up a few of their washes.  I ordered them online.  I've tired of trying to use different acrylic/enamel based washes and have them mess up my paint.  I've tried Tamiya washes, and Vallejo.  I've had issues with both.  I'll stick to the Flory, or my homemade stuff which consists of water, acrylic oil paint, and a touch of dish soap. 

I also use the acylic oil paints I have for streaking "leaks".  Works very well when you dot a bit of paint where you want the leak, and then use a slightly damp brush to streak it back.  If you don't like it just use water to clean it off.  I use the Tamiya weathering powders as well.  You'll have to experiment and see what works best for you. 

Thanks for the great replies everybody!Though does anybody know where I can get Flory washes at american websites?All I found were the UK websites to order from.

TheModeler

Thanks for the great replies everybody!Though does anybody know where I can get Flory washes at american websites?All I found were the UK websites to order from.

I ordered mine from High Altitude Hobbies in Colorado:

www.highaltitudehobbies.com

Prices seemed reasonable and shipping was fast to the Mid-Atlantic.

Ordered mine from there too.  They're quick and easy to deal with.  I'll have to go check out their store the next time I'm in Leadville to work on a helicopter.

You're going to get a lot of different answers and in reality, there's really no true highly recomended or correct product to use. With so many out there, no wonder you're confused trying to get the best of whatever product is there. I have a couple and I also use the cheap way of weathering as well using chalk. So simple, even a caveman can do it. 

Here's what you do. scrap the chalk into a pallette dish using an edge of a hobby blade. (you want to get the dust like particles)

Add a little bit of water and a drop of dishsoap (yes... you read that right - dish soap. Stir up up good until blended. 

Now get a brush and brush your kit all over it. Don't worry about brushing too much on the model. It's impossible. 

Let it dry overnight. Seal it in with clearcoat. 

Experiment it on a junk kit and try for yourself. 

TheDemiGod

You're going to get a lot of different answers and in reality, there's really no true highly recomended or correct product to use. With so many out there, no wonder you're confused trying to get the best of whatever product is there. I have a couple and I also use the cheap way of weathering as well using chalk. So simple, even a caveman can do it. 

 

Here's what you do. scrap the chalk into a pallette dish using an edge of a hobby blade. (you want to get the dust like particles)

Add a little bit of water and a drop of dishsoap (yes... you read that right - dish soap. Stir up up good until blended. 

Now get a brush and brush your kit all over it. Don't worry about brushing too much on the model. It's impossible. 

Let it dry overnight. Seal it in with clearcoat. 

Experiment it on a junk kit and try for yourself. 

 

Hey DemiGod,thanks for the chalk reference!Will these work:

https://www.amazon.com/Mungyo-Pastel-Assorted-English-Version/dp/B08PQ4V6TT/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Chalk+Pastel+Set&qid=1616690083&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMR1Q5VlBBRjBDT04mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1MTA1ODkxQU1JUDZXQjhWN1AxJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4NjA0NjAySTFEUEJTRVNNV1dVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I can't seem to find any pastels that are the same color as panel line or weathering washes,though.

Hi Max!

     Having been involved with the Rail Museum for quite some time.( I am both the Model Club and Museum President now) Here in new Braunfels Texas, I use what the modelers here use. Which is all the varied " Doc Brown" sets of weathering materials. Now for some,  Flory Washes are great. Again, Practice on a model that has seen better days and you will get the hang of it. Remember because of what they are all objects weather differently!

      If you want a real tutorial, Next time a Train Show comes to your area, Go. There will probably be someone there teaching the art of weathering!

TheModeler

 

 

TheDemiGod

You're going to get a lot of different answers and in reality, there's really no true highly recomended or correct product to use. With so many out there, no wonder you're confused trying to get the best of whatever product is there. I have a couple and I also use the cheap way of weathering as well using chalk. So simple, even a caveman can do it. 

 

Here's what you do. scrap the chalk into a pallette dish using an edge of a hobby blade. (you want to get the dust like particles)

Add a little bit of water and a drop of dishsoap (yes... you read that right - dish soap. Stir up up good until blended. 

Now get a brush and brush your kit all over it. Don't worry about brushing too much on the model. It's impossible. 

Let it dry overnight. Seal it in with clearcoat. 

Experiment it on a junk kit and try for yourself. 

 

 

 

 

Hey DemiGod,thanks for the chalk reference!Will these work:

https://www.amazon.com/Mungyo-Pastel-Assorted-English-Version/dp/B08PQ4V6TT/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Chalk+Pastel+Set&qid=1616690083&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMR1Q5VlBBRjBDT04mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1MTA1ODkxQU1JUDZXQjhWN1AxJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4NjA0NjAySTFEUEJTRVNNV1dVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I can't seem to find any pastels that are the same color as panel line or weathering washes,though.

 

I got mine at Walmart and Hobby Lobby. You don't need a rainbow of colored chalk. Basic blacks and greys, greens, and browns is all you need.

Here's some sound advice.... for the love of God, don't order from Amazon. Why do you feel the need to order from evil Amazon (Amazon Prime or not)? I never order anything from Amazon for hobby related stuff. 

TheDemiGod

 

 

TheModeler

 

 

TheDemiGod

You're going to get a lot of different answers and in reality, there's really no true highly recomended or correct product to use. With so many out there, no wonder you're confused trying to get the best of whatever product is there. I have a couple and I also use the cheap way of weathering as well using chalk. So simple, even a caveman can do it. 

 

Here's what you do. scrap the chalk into a pallette dish using an edge of a hobby blade. (you want to get the dust like particles)

Add a little bit of water and a drop of dishsoap (yes... you read that right - dish soap. Stir up up good until blended. 

Now get a brush and brush your kit all over it. Don't worry about brushing too much on the model. It's impossible. 

Let it dry overnight. Seal it in with clearcoat. 

Experiment it on a junk kit and try for yourself. 

 

 

 

 

Hey DemiGod,thanks for the chalk reference!Will these work:

https://www.amazon.com/Mungyo-Pastel-Assorted-English-Version/dp/B08PQ4V6TT/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Chalk+Pastel+Set&qid=1616690083&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMR1Q5VlBBRjBDT04mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1MTA1ODkxQU1JUDZXQjhWN1AxJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4NjA0NjAySTFEUEJTRVNNV1dVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I can't seem to find any pastels that are the same color as panel line or weathering washes,though.

 

 

 

 

 

I got mine at Walmart and Hobby Lobby. You don't need a rainbow of colored chalk. Basic blacks and greys, greens, and browns is all you need.

Here's some sound advice.... for the love of God, don't order from Amazon. Why do you feel the need to order from evil Amazon (Amazon Prime or not)? I never order anything from Amazon for hobby related stuff. 

 

 

Look,I don't order from freak Amazon,it was just the only place I could find examples.