"Experimenting to do the paint chipping effect" Topic

using hairspray, as discussed here.

Not sure if I did it right, or fluked it.

link

There are a lot of good YouTube videos and tutorials about this technique. I think you should have primed the plumbing U joint first. Then apply the rust. I think you should stick with acrylics for all paint applications. I really wouldn't worry about the thinner. If just using acrylics, water alone will loose the top coat up. You can start the chipping process with a tooth pick or knob skewer. Be sure to let the paint cure well before the process of chipping the paint.

Greylegion, tooth pick? Interesting. I might do that.

I'll check out the YouTube videos. Strange that after all these years, I have never come across this technique before with respect to hairspray.

One trick I saw in an old modeling magazine was to sprinkle common table salt on your wet primer and let it dry. Put on the finish coat, let that dry, then chip away the salt.

I think for starters you should perhaps try using the "salt only" method for your chipping/rust effects.

You won't need hairspray to affix the salt. Water works fine.

Prime your model and allow to dry.
Apply the substrate/rust colour(s) and allow to dry.
Dampen your brush/sponge with water, dip in some salt (try different grain sizes for greater chip variety) and apply where required.
Allow to dry!
Paint over it and allow that coat to dry.
Scrub the salty bits away with an old toothbrush and water.

It will give you far more control over the end result.

Oh, and just in case I didn't emphasise it enough: allow every coat, i.e. primer, rust colour, salt, top colour, to dry! :)

I never heard of the salt method. Will have to try it out for sure. Thanks bobspruster, Golgoloth..

Thanks for the tip about salt.

I've gotten good results for a marble-like effect with beach sand and ordinary dirt (for a mirror frame and switch plate). I would prime with white spray paint, sprinkle on some sand and dirt pretty liberally, let dry, spray paint black, more sand and dirt, let dry, spray gray, let dry. Then I would brush with a stiff brush (toothbrush or fingernail brush; don't remember which).

They came out pretty well.

New year (late January), I'm going to turn a metal electrical box into a block of marble. I'll try salt instead of dirt.

1) Not all hairspray is created equal, some just won't work others work perfectly, it's a matter of finding the one that works right.

2) Some think it's just a scam, but getting chipping fluid designed for modelling cuts out the experiment part considerably.

3) you may want to seal your first layer before applying the hairspray and second layer.

Oberlindes, I don't quite follow what you're doing with sand to paint a marble effect.

Patrick, I was thinking about sealing the first layer but didn't do it out of laziness. Perhaps next time.

Thanks.

Yes Sir. Tooth pick or something similar. I was going to suggest the salt technique, as well, but other folks have given good advise on this. There are good YouTube videos on the salt chipping, as well.

Good luck and post picks of your results.

Thanks. Will take a look on YouTube..

Talking about this to a pal last night who does some incredible WWII AFV modelling and he (hand-on-heart) swears by Marmite!

He stipples it on with a cut-down brush.
Might be worth a try?

I had to google what it was.. a food spread?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite

Nobody just uses crackle primer that is designed to do that?

Crackle primer? Can you name a brand.. thanks.

Byteknight, go to your local big box or hardware store and check the spray paints for textured paint.