This is another weathering project where I used a tool for
the first time.
The project started with an Athearn HO scale Hi-Cube boxcar.
After painting the truck frames and wheel faces I sprayed the body with a flat
finish. I then applied some Tamiya masking tape over the car initials and
numbers. This tape comes in several sizes that are the right sizes for various
HO scale car numbers and initials.
The next step was to weather the roof with rust spots. For
an applicator I used, for the first time, a piece of an aquarium fish tank
sponge filter. The filter came through Amazon and measured 13" x 5" x
1.5". This will produce a lot of applicators.
The technique I used was to paint just a little rust color
on the applicator with a brush, being careful not to completely cover the
surface of the applicator. I then tested the rust pattern on some white paper.
When I was satisfied that there was just the right amount of paint on the
applicator I hit the roof randomly, repeating when I needed more
"rust".
I painted additional rust along the center of the car roof
with a brush and sprinkled on some rust colored weathering powders. The sides
of the car were treated with just the applicator. I finished the weathering
with several shades of weathering powders applied with a makeup brush.
I am satisfied that the sponge filter applicator is good
tool for rendering rust spots and probably will use it many more times. The
rust spots could have been streaked if I had immediately gone over them by
dragging a brush in a downward motion but I chose not to do that this first
time. Maybe next time.
