how do you weather rust....

As was mentioned above, let steel wool sit in water until it rusts. Then you can crush it into a powder that can be applied to the model the same as pastel powders. The longer it sits, the darker the rust, so you can easily get a variety of rust colors from one or two steel wool pads, depending upon how much you really need.

There's nothing like answering the question "What did you use for the rust on your model?" with the answer "Rust!"

That is correct, different grades of steel and metal rust differently. Also. if you notice on a ship, a lot of the rust causes the paint to lift, peel and crack. Also, location needs to be a factor. Rust occurs where water and moisture is allowed to congregate. These effects are not too much of a concern for 1/1200 or 1/700, but can really make a neat effect on large scale models.

Scott

BTW, I though the question was kind of an oxymoron eh?

wibhi2 has a good point though. It helps a lot to study different rusts in the real world. Look for the rust effects that might occur on the subject you're building. Rusting can be very subtle. Most of the time rusts on models are way over done. Although it does make for a dramatic effect.

Jess

thank you guys!
other suggestions are still welcome

QUOTE: Originally posted by wibhi2 You don't. As you walk or ride around your neighborhood look at how stuff stands the test of time. Look at water spouts and concrete spashes down on. All metal weathers - alls you have to do is look for it. Junkyards and Dumps are great places to study weathering effects. That's if I understand your question correctly. otherwise pastels ranging from burnt umber to orange are the best way to go, or let some steel wool sit in water for a while and when it rusts - use that

I meant on a model

On many parts, I use a relatively "simple" rusted effect that can be achieved in three steps with paint alone.

First, a base coat of burnt umber or other suitable dark brown. Brown seems to be the predominant color in most rust. Second, apply a light wash of rust, leather, or other "orange" colored pigment. You can vary the wash as strong or light as you choose. Third, add a wash of black to blend the browns and oranges together and darken the recess and other low areas.

With practice, these three steps alone can achieve satisfactory results, particularly on smaller parts. You can always add a final dry brushing of lightened burnt umber to blead everything together if it's necessary.

I've been using two methods...Rustall (a model RR product) for real heavy applications, and MMP weathering powders (artist's pigments basically) for more subtle effects.

Jeff

You don't. As you walk or ride around your neighborhood look at how stuff stands the test of time. Look at water spouts and concrete spashes down on. All metal weathers - alls you have to do is look for it. Junkyards and Dumps are great places to study weathering effects.

That's if I understand your question correctly.

otherwise pastels ranging from burnt umber to orange are the best way to go,
or let some steel wool sit in water for a while and when it rusts - use that