P-51 exhaust painting

I'd nix the rust completely. They start out a dull silvery steel grey---which I use as my base-coat---then turn shades of bronze and dark brown with heat. Dry-brushing with a couple different tones gives a nice effect, with a wash of black or brown to 'pop' the structural detail.

Check the ample color photos available, to get a good guide as to how to proceed.

Good luck!

I am wondering why, since we have a forum just for painting and airbrushing, we are seeing painting questions all over the FSM forums.  Not to criticise the OP, but I really do think that we optimize forums when we stick to the catagories FSM has provided.  Otherwise, the answers get scattered over many forums, and the OPs may miss some good answers.  Today there were three paint threads in the general models forum, and paint threads in the tools, techniques and references area.

That being said, my technique for steel exhausts is to start with a dark gray coat, then dry brush steel, rust, and maybe some light red and blue stains.  Everything other than the base coat should just be a very light tint coat.

Would it have been more acceptable to have said "techniques needed to produce a accurate looking exhaust on a P-51" for the title?    I'm just looking for a good way to make it look real!

John

gregbale

I'd nix the rust completely. They start out a dull silvery steel grey---which I use as my base-coat---then turn shades of bronze and dark brown with heat. Dry-brushing with a couple different tones gives a nice effect, with a wash of black or brown to 'pop' the structural detail.

Check the ample color photos available, to get a good guide as to how to proceed.

Good luck!

 

Don Stauffer

I am wondering why, since we have a forum just for painting and airbrushing, we are seeing painting questions all over the FSM forums.  Not to criticise the OP, but I really do think that we optimize forums when we stick to the catagories FSM has provided.  Otherwise, the answers get scattered over many forums, and the OPs may miss some good answers.  Today there were three paint threads in the general models forum, and paint threads in the tools, techniques and references area.

 

If you re-read the question the OP is asking is really not a painting question but a TECHNIQUE question. I see no harm of the OP posted this on this thread.

FSM has turned so quiet, I get excited to see a new post period.

I learn something every day here.

Greg -

There is one color I use on ocassion for exhaust pieces - Gunze Red Steel. Sometimes I'll throw a bit of Black Detail wash to give it a weathered look.

Not so much rust as a brownish discoloration of the steel stacks....

stikpusher

Not so much rust as a brownish discoloration of the steel stacks....

 

 

 

I agree.  I use the rust color as a patina color, not as actual rust.  I sometimes us both a brighter red and blue.  In drybrushing, variations in the thickness of colors does not make it look just purple. 

I would search the Internet for images of P-51 exhaust stacks. The colors vary a lot. It seems like the most common color is a blackened brown color on older planes and a blackened silver color on newer planes.

JohnnyK

I would search the Internet for images of P-51 exhaust stacks. The colors vary a lot. It seems like the most common color is a blackened brown color on older planes and a blackened silver color on newer planes.

 

Good observation.  I am amazed at how many people dry to duplicate effects like that without first finding pictures or looking at real planes.  They just assume what things look like.

I couldn't find a good picture of a P-51 exhaust, but here is a picture of a B-17 exhaust. The basic color is rust with dark brown, dark gray and black areas on top.