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                        How do you recreate "faded" decals?

                        3977 views
                        13 replies
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                        oortiz10
                        • Member since
                          February 2003
                        • From: Between LA and OC, SoCal
                        How do you recreate "faded" decals?
                        Posted by oortiz10 on Thursday, February 5, 2004 3:22 PM
                        Any hints on "fading" decals? What's your technique for depicting that old faded look? Do you do it while still on the sheet? After application? I'm practicing new finishing techniques on the kits I'm currently working on, and so far so good. I'd hate to spoil the finish with sparkly markings.
                        Big thanks,
                        -O(mar)

                        -It's Omar, but they call me "O".

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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 5, 2004 4:06 PM
                        Well, I set them in a sunny window to get rid of yellowing, maybe extending the time you leave them in the sun would bleach some of the color out.
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                        oortiz10
                        • Member since
                          February 2003
                        • From: Between LA and OC, SoCal
                        Posted by oortiz10 on Thursday, February 5, 2004 4:28 PM
                        Sorry Iroc, maybe I didn't make myself clear. I don't have old and yellowed decals, I'm looking to recreate the look of faded paint on kits. Decals straight off the sheet are all purty and shiny, the bird I'm working on is a little tattered. I'm sure the "new" markings wouldn't look good on a battered machine. I was looking for a way to have the decals match the weather beaten look of the rest of the finish. Hopefully that clarifies.
                        Thanks,
                        -O

                        -It's Omar, but they call me "O".

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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 5, 2004 4:33 PM
                        After you have applied your dull coat, you can try using some pastel chalk (or even "chalkboard" chalk) to lower the intensity of the color. It can be built up slowly to achieve the look of the rest of the paint on the model. If it doesn't look right to you, it can be washed off.
                        Hope this helps.
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                        oortiz10
                        • Member since
                          February 2003
                        • From: Between LA and OC, SoCal
                        Posted by oortiz10 on Thursday, February 5, 2004 4:46 PM
                        Good tip. Thanks Pix. I'll give it a go.
                        -O

                        -It's Omar, but they call me "O".

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                        rjkplasticmod
                        • Member since
                          February 2003
                        • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
                        Posted by rjkplasticmod on Thursday, February 5, 2004 6:11 PM
                        I've used Pix's technique and it works well but won't take handling unless you topcoat it. Another technique I use is to airbrush some Floquil "Dust" (a model railroad color) over the decals on a weathered AC. Use mist coats and let it dry for a few minutes and then repeat until you have the effect you want. CAUTION, this is permanent, once done, can't be redone.

                        Rick
                        RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 6, 2004 8:02 PM
                        QUOTE: Sorry Iroc, maybe I didn't make myself clear.

                        I understood what you wanted,
                        I still think placing them in the sun will fade tehm and make them looked weathered and old.
                        Report Abuse
                        roosterfish
                        • Member since
                          November 2003
                        • From: Stockton CA USA
                        Posted by roosterfish on Friday, February 6, 2004 8:53 PM
                        I use fading of decals by simply airbrushing the base coat over the decals. You can do selective fading by simply spraying through and around the decals.

                        Winners never quit; quitters never win.
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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 7, 2004 9:45 AM
                        I spray a lightened base coat over the decals and sometimes i apply rain stains to it if there is some detail right above it. Or I apply a thineed buff coat making the whole model dusty including the decals.
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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 1:21 AM
                        I often age my WW2 aircraft with a light grey drybrush ( usually 2 EXTREMELY light coats) and I always do it after the I apply the decals, but before weathering, this not only ages them but helps the model and the decal look unified.
                        I cant stand seeing a well weathered model with nice glossy decals.
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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 21, 2004 10:09 AM
                        I am new to the hobby so I don't understand what is meant by light grey drybrush, is there a simple explanation? Scott
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                        jimz66
                        • Member since
                          December 2002
                        • From: Winsted CT
                        Posted by jimz66 on Saturday, February 21, 2004 11:56 AM
                        I think that he means that he is using a light gray paint to drybrush with. Drybrushing is a weathering term that we use to make paint jobs look worn out and beat up. Drybrushing is accomplished by getting as much paint off your brush so it isn't sopping wet. Then apply to the area you wish to treat. At least I think that is what he means. I am sort of new again. This time around I haven't finshed anything.
                        Phantoms rule the skies!!!
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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 8, 2004 9:26 PM
                        This works on some decals,gently use a pencil eraser going back+forth till you get the faded look you want,work slowly+lightly. Do this on the decal sheet,Not on the modelWink [;)]
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                        Anonymous
                        • Member since
                          November 2005
                        Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 4:01 AM
                        When do you apply decals to your model?

                        I always apply them in the beguining of the paintwoork, after base coat. So decals will get faded at same time as the rest of the model when weathering. Markings are part of real paint work on a real thing most of the times, so weathering also goes over them too. Do not leave them to the end.

                        Enjoy modeling!
                        Lu
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