Weathering info?

[Toyhunter80's]

Is there a weathering tutorial or just some general weathering tips? I read one on weathering Sandtrooper armor, but it was way too much. Would anyone like to share how they weathered their armor?

[Deleted]

I am no expert, but there are TONS of ways to weather. All sorts of different techniques. You could air-brush, use salt, painters tape (the blue stuff), toothpaste. I know there are more ways but I don't know them all.

Personally, I am going to try to incorporate all sorts of different weathering styles to make my armor look unique.

[Toyhunter80's]

So the basic idea is you paint it all nice and then you rough it up right? Can you descirbe one or all of those methods you just mentioned?

[Deleted]

Not necessarily. One of the methods (using the toothpaste) involves painting. Let's say that you want the final layer of color (what people see) to be the marine red. What you COULD do is paint a primer-like coat of silver, then put a couple small areas of toothpaste down. Then paint maybe a black layer, then add a little more toothpaste. Then paint your final layer of red, and wash off all of the toothpaste. Then your final layer, will have "battle damage" with spots of silver and black showing through. You don't necessarily have to beat up your armor to get the desired effects. I am really an amateur at this. If you want REALLY good weathering info, go look for stuff on ct.net. Those guys are amazing at weathering.

[cooterdavis]

One of the methods I use. to weather armor, is to initially purchase armor that is cast in black abs (which is not always possible) paint your armor the color you want it, then take 400 grit sand paper and sand the effect you are looking for.

Another method is prime your armor black, then paint over the black with the color you want, and again sand with the 400 grit paper...

[admin]

The type of weathering you'll want to do on a GM is topical. That is, painted right on top of the armor. Initially, to beginners this sounds like a bad idea because most beginners imagine thick globs of paint creating an unwanted texture on their armor (and also get the impression that if it's to mimmick real damage, it absolutely has to be layered paint). But it certainly isn't so, at least if you do it correctly.

For the clones, especially the Galactic Marines, there are no chunks of paint ripped off the armor, so you don't see the under "layer" of the armor. If you look at the actual 3d models, what you actually see is marks that look like scuff marks and little tiny nicks, and just a lot of dirt and grime.

If you want to be accurate for a clone, you'll want to paint your weathering on top. You could splurge and MAYBE do a chip of paint here or there, but you'll want to hide it within your scuff marks such that the layer of paint under the chip matches that of the scuff mark surrounding it. And there are many techniques for doing topical paint like scuffs and stuff. It all depends on the exact look you want to achieve. Some stuff you'll end up doing with paint brushes of various types. Some stuff you'll blot on with a sponge or paper towel. Some stuff you may end up just dusting with spray paint.

As for Sandtrooper weathering being too much.... good weathering takes time and dedication, and the initial screw-up or two. So if you want it to look good, get used to it being too much. This ain't no sissy hobby!

[Deleted]

I wasn't saying how to weather specifically for the GM's, I was just saying general ideas and thoughts about weathering. I like the layering idea myself, and I think with the GM color scheme it would look awesome. Here's something to think about Captain: if you don't want the layer thing and have the bottom layer being black, you could paint your first layer (first to be painted) in the marine red and then layer black and/or silver, then the final marine red using the toothpaste method. That way, instead of a huge spot of black or silver showing through, the bottom layer would be the marine red, so it would look more like a blaster scorch mark than paint peeling away.

[admin]

Then you get circling effects. It'll look like your armor has hickies. Only instead of red hickies, they'd be black and whatever colors you have under it.

If you choose to go with some sort of layering, and if you want to go for accurate colors, though, stay away from silver. There isn't any silver showing through. I think that goes for other clones too. It's just black and grays and browns and stuff. We're led to believe the armor is supposed to be some sort of ceramic composite, not a metal.

[Deleted]

Yeah I know about the armor make-up discussions over at ct.net. I agree with that, but I just think it would look cool. Appreciate the advice though. I am not absolutely sure what I am going to do for weathering, but I know what I like and think looks cool, you know?