gregbale
goldhammer
Check with Micro Mark....they have aging solutions for chain and cable. Look in the paint or model rail section.
Good call.
Etching or aging solutions are really the only answer. Any kind of ink or paint (I've tried both) will clump or flake away.
RUST TO DUST.
This is how I do all my rusted/used chains, it works well for me.
1. Look for links of the proper size/scale
2. A flattened paper grocery bag or piece of cardboard.
3. flat red oxide rattlecan paintfrom the local store.
4. flat black or flat dark gray rattlecan paint from the same source.
Part 1.
Patience.
This is old school and cheap, without any high cost whizbang concoctions.
Lay the chain on the cardboard outside (paint fumes) on a sunny day.
Next is what makes the difference.....
At a distance of about a foot to 18 inches (this is the key) swipe a very light mist of flat red twice or so then walk away, go do something else for 5 or 10 minutes.
Okay, next bounce the cardboard slightly to alter the arrangement and swipe it lightly again. Notice that I say mist, not spray. If you spray, you're just asking for them to stick together.
On a sunny day you should be able to see if any bare metal isn't covered. If you see any glint of metal just repeat the above. Patience..... you'll get the feel for it from seeing the effects. Remember very lightly mist the coats.
Part 2.
Again, bounce the cardboard slightly to alter the arrangement.
Now, very lightly mist over it with flat black. Again, go do something else.
You are basically altering the shade of the red to get the finish you want.
Just repeat, but the goal is to get the finish you want. A heavy spray will just get you a clumpy, crappy mess.
You can reverse the process (black first, then red) if you want for the same result. It is important to apply these coats lightly and to reshake the chains to ensure a light but TOTAL coverage.
In addition you can apply a wash of Tamiya buff using a water/detergent/paint blend.
When it is dry you can pull the chain between your thumb and the standard mark 1 finger to realistically rub the "dust" from the high points.