February 7, 2002
by Keith Jones
(email: kj12thnj@delanet.com)

Oxidized Paint

1.     Spray Testor’s Dull Coat over glossy finish.

2.     Spray lacquer-based paint on humid day.

3.     Spray body with flat finish.

Old Chrome

1.     Spray chrome with Testor’s Dull Coat

Easy Rust

1.     Spray body with red oxide paint.

2.     After it dries, dab rubber cement with a green scrubbing pad.

3.     Apply cement to areas that rust on real cars – top of fenders, roof, rocker panels, wheel wells, etc.

4.     After rubber cement dries, spray body with glossy or flat color.

5.     After top coat of paint dries, rub off the rubber cement, rust color will appear through top coats of paint

Easy Rust II

1.     Spray body with red oxide paint.

2.     Spray glossy or flat paint over red oxide.

3.     Lightly sand topcoat with fine (e.g. 2400 grit) sandpaper until red oxide appears.

4.     Try not to sand through red oxide.

Peeling paint (e.g. late 1980’s Fords)

1.     Spray body with gray primer paint

2.     After it dries, dab rubber cement with a green scrubbing pad.

3.     After rubber cement tries, spray body with glossy or flat color.

4.     After top coat of paint dries, rub off the rubber cement, primer will appear through top coats of paint

Faded paint

1.     Spray body with gray primer paint.

2.     Spray glossy or flat paint over gray primer.

3.     Lightly sand topcoat with fine (e.g. 2400 grit) sandpaper until primer appears.

4.     Try not to sand through red oxide.

Dirt/grime

1.     Spray part with base color paint (e.g. spray chassis flat black).

2.     While part is still wet, sprinkle baking powder on part with saltshaker.

3.     Blow or shake off excess powder.

4.     Apply second coat of paint.

Water based washes

Advantage:  won’t affect lacquer or enamel base paint.

Grimy wash

2 parts Polly Scale Grimy Black (414137)

3 parts tap water with

A drop of dishwashing detergent  (breaks surface tension, allows better penetration of wash).

Apply where you want patina of dirt – chassis, tires, wheel wells, exposed interiors, etc.

Oily wash

2 parts Polly Scale Oily Black (414326)

3 parts tap water

A drop of dish-washing detergent

Apply where you want oil leaks – engine, transmission, and differential.

An alternative to flat black

Testor’s Model Master Aircraft Interior Black (37031)

Much better than flat black for resin tires, fan belts, worn rubber mats, etc.

Pastels

1.     Shave with knife blade onto cardboard.

2.     Brush on.

3.     Spraying with Dull coat both cuts down on intensity of pastel and preserves surfaces that may be touched.

4.     Less is more!