washing

If you are a male and want a laugh, tell the clerk that you will be using the makeup.

All of the above ways work well. I have a different approach. If you don't want to use a wash, use pastels and good old fashion ladies makeup. Buy an eyeliner pencil (one with the ruber tip at the end) and some brown or which ever color desired face powder with an applicator.

1. For streaks of "dirty rust" put a samll light streak of black, not alot otherwise it will be to dark
2. Lightly put some face powder on the black spot
3. Rub with rubber end

This is good for streaks of rust, exhuast stains, or even just grit and grime, hope this helps

One method that I have used quite succesfully for making armour kits look weathered is too apply pencil lead to the finished product. This gives the model a weather worn look.
Here's the steps I use: (highly scientific)
1. using sand paper grind down a small amount of pencil lead.
2. place lead into a container (plastic works best)
3. (now comes the scientific part) stick your finger in the lead. Not too much lead!!!
4. rub back and forth on the surface of the model until you reach the desired texture.
5. to top off the I use ground pastels chalks to complete the effect I want.

It takes a bit of practice to get it right....I use old kits to practice on

H.M. & G.B.
Shermanfreak

I think I saw in a recent FSM that one modeler had had good results using a small amount of acetone to make the chalk pastel powder adhere to the model surface without making the effect disappear. The acetone apparently softens the paint surface just enough for the purpose without damaging it.

Mask off a few areas and add a drop of white to your base colour, spray this in the masked area.When I apply a wash i usually use the spot wash method - this is putting the wash in specific areas rather than covering the whole model.Pastels are a good way to simulate dust on tracks and wheels but if you try to spray a clear coat on afterwards you sometimes lose the effect... Anyone know how to overcome this?
Keep trying and you will find a method that suits you.
HAPPY MODELLING.