Evening all.
I  have just watched the Humbrol you tube regarding weathering locos.The demo shows matt varnish being sprayed on the wheels and motion,surely that can't be right as it would clog it all up and would be a nightmare cleaning it off.

Bill

Bill, weathering powders do require a matte finish in order to adhere.  Matte finish has microscopic pits.  This is why light doesn't reflect very well (as opposed to gloss).  These pits also provide a key for the powder to stick to.

When I weather, I start by airbrushing matte acrylic dirt followed by black.  This gives a good overall weathered look.  I then use powders to highlight details.  I don't use varnish because I find it tends to wash the powder off.

To your point, I spend quite some time after completing the weathering getting the loco to run again - the wheels being coated with paint.  However, a Qtip and window washing liquid (the blue stuff) takes acrylic paint off easily. 




Here's one I did for a friend.  The streaks and dirty underframe are done with powder.  Full disclosure - I haven't used Humbrol products for weathering.

John 

Hi Bill

 

I use enamals extensively for painting and weathering, both Humbrol and other makes. The trick is to spray very light coats and build up subtle graduations. It is easily removed from wheel treads with a glassfibre brush or cotton bud dipped in thinners. Have you watched all of the Humbrol weathering videos, by the way, because they show how to mix their weathering powders with Mattcote (permanent) or Decalfix (removable) which avoids the problem altogether.

 

Regards

 

Mythocentric (The other Bill)

So it doesn't do any harm
Bill

Hello Bill

 

Sorry for the delay. As long as you keep to light coats it should be fine. Applying powders the Humbrol way means you can put them exactly where you want them and avoid most of the problems.

I also find that, when weathering the motion, etc, using a Peco wheel cleaning brush gently (the powered one) to turn the wheels a couple of times gets most paint off the tyres while it's still fairly soft, and also helps prevent seizing.

 

Regards

 

Bill

Hello Bill

 

Sorry for the delay. As long as you keep the coats fine it should be OK. Using a first coat of varnish for loose powder weathering should be absolutely minimal. Just enough to provide a key and no more.

 

Regards

 

Bill

Thanks every one,I'll pick some up at at the next opportunity  and give it a go.
RegardsBill

Hi Bill     I watched the Humbrol youtube regarding weathering wagons.I followed the basic rules of the demo and got some really pleasing results. I did some PCA wagons which I sprayed with matt varnish before going to work with the weathering powders. I found the best results were gained by building up several light layers. The brushes I used were from the pound shop which came in a set. I will take some pictures shortly
Regards
Andy

Probably a simple answer to the question and one for those out there just starting out with weathering.

What do most modellers use to lock in/seal the final weathering of powders (to stop the powders coming off during handling) ? Or what is your preferred method of sealing ?  

I use an artists matt finish acryllic sealer over weathering powders. I also use this on printed papers.  Please discuss. 

Cheers, Gary.

Hi Gary

I've previously steered away from powders for that simple reason - they come off when you touch them! However, I've been experimenting with the Humbrol powders recently and their method of mixing with Decalfix (removable) or Mattcote (permanent) and I must admit I'm highly impressed with the results! I don't see any reason why the same method couldn't be used with other powders rather than overspraying which in itself can blow away much of the powder, or 'hide' it to some degree by introducing a 'filtering' layer. I'll be making a start on some new locos and stock soon and I intend to put them to use in combination with my usual airbrush techniques with the airbrushed paint replacing the initial matt varnish coat.

Regards

Bill

I note that Humbrol have just brought a new range of weathering washes. There is a video on the website:

http://www.humbrol.com/shop/weathering-powders/washes/

These look quite good.

Bob

Hi Bill , here are a few pictures of my recently weathered PCA wagons using weathering powders.

 

Wagon before the weathering, I sprayed it with matt varnish and allowed it to dry for 24 hrs.





First coat of powders applied, in this coat i mixed a dark brown & black




The next couple of pictures show where I added the finer detail, firstly I dusted over the whole wagon again with a light brown then with a dark rust colour put in the rust run marks. After that I added the spillage from the fill covers and frames with an off white. 

These Humbrol washes look interesting,I will certainly give the a go.The Blue Circle cement wagons look brilliant
Bill