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Weathering Wood Structures

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  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 11:30 AM

I suspected the chalks might be "stickier" to wood.  I'm afraid if I don't spray them after chalk, I will get fingerprints when I move the layout.

My latest can of dullkote puts out a fire hose spray.  I used to have a big bottle of it, but it isn't in any of the usual places.  The local hobby store only has the cans and some Model Master dull.  I've not used the MM before.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 6:35 PM

Actually chalks, pastels, powders and charcoal sticks actually embed themselves INTO the wood, as opposed to adhereing to the surface as they do with plastic or metal (which is why you have to use DullCote first on plastic when using chalks and most pastels).  I have seen guys who use colored powders or chalks on their wood structures and never "paint" them.

The fewer liquids you introduce to wood the better.  I weathered some wood fencing I built exclusively with burnt wood from the fireplace plus finely sifted fireplace ash.  I wanted the look of old unpainted wood and got it and never had to seal it.

Assuming you don't touch your structures once installed, DullCote may not be needed.  It might be worth experimenting with this however.  Do you have leftover wood such as from prior projects or from laser cut structures you can play around with?

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 6:28 PM

Henry I don’t use a sealer on my wooden structures painted with Crafters Acrylics and I’ve never had a problem with handling them.  If you seal them and for any reason you need to retouch or do a mod to a sealed structure it will be difficult to match the old paint.
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Weathering Wood Structures
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 6:10 PM

I am building a Details Associates roundhouse, HO, and it is my first wood kit.  I decided to paint the walls a buff color.  It is unassembled, but looking too new, so weathing is in order.  I am comfortable with an airbrush and new to pastels.  I hope to move in the next year, so the building will be handled.

If I use pastels, I'm thinking I need dullkote and I'll want to use that before installing the window glazing.  Is a wood structure "stickier" than plastic, when it comes to chalks and pastels?  Is there any reason not to use dullkote? 

Suggestions are welcome.  The usual suspects are welcome to post photos.

Thanks.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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