Attemping to decide on a weathering method for a resin casting carfloat bridge. A product called Dr. Ben's weathering Solution over black paint has been suggested.
I have some experience using paint washes and Bragdon weathering pigments. Seeing and reading some of the how-to articles on the Sierrawest Scale Models website I'm wondering about investing in some quality artists pastel chalk sticks. Comments and thoughts appreciated.
Regards, Peter
I will provide somewhat of an answer, maybe what you are looking for, maybe not....
I do not have experience with Bragdon powders, but I have used Artists Pastel Sticks, and a product called PanPastels. In my experience, the sticks do not "stick" well to models, as they tend to "fade/disappear" when sealed. I have not attempted to seal any of the PanPastels yet, but am finding them a little easier to work with. With the artist stick style, you need to grind it into a powder, and it tends to blow off the models when sealing, where the PanPastels are more powdery already, and do seem to have more "stickiness" to them then the stick style artists use, allowing me to use less, and spend less time. From what I hear, Bragdon powders have a built in adhesive factor, more like PanPastels then stick pastels, so, my preference between the two would be Bragdon. Less work as it's already powder, and better "stickiness" to it. I like easier, and cheap... Yes, Bragdon, and PanPastels cost more than normal pastels, but you use less, (at least with the PanPastels), and my time is more valuable to me than the price difference. More time to run my trains that way....
As I said, not sure this is info you really are looking for, but it's a start.
At the very least, this may just serve as a "bump" to get you the info you need.... And, this again, is just my experience. Yours maybe different from mine, and it's your call.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I like the bragdon powders for weathering enfines and cars. I usually apply a couple of coats of dulcote first then the powders are applied with a stiff brush or those small Q-tip type brushes for more detailed application. If you don't like the effect, another coat of dulcote will blot it out so you can start again.
Marty C
Bragdon weathering powders (and most comercial weathering powders) have an adhesive in them and stick much, much better than grinding down artist's sticks. They do still tend to get washed out by too much dullcoat though, so I tend to weather a heavier than I want my finished product to be.
You can improve how well artist's pastels stick by dullcoating before you apply. The rough finish gives something to bite into.
Yes I find it is a repeated process of applying, Dullcoting, applying, Dullcoting. At some point the stuff does stick and the advice to Dullcote first is good because it seems like it is the lack of adhesion to the smooth surface to begin with that is the cause of the phenomenon. Some cars that came with a somewhat rough paint surface took chalks very well right from the git-go.
Dave Nelson
Thanks for the input and your time. I'll stick with the Bragdon powders for now and continue exploring the different methods of applying them.
regards, Peter
Bragdon's Dr. Ben's Artists pastels are all good. Additionally there are: ground charcoal, real rust (just stick a Brillo pad in some vinegar!), and, one of my favorites, just simple water colors, diluted to a wash.
The nice thing about water colors is if you don't like the effect, just take a damp cloth and wipe it clean and start over.
In the past I used both artist chalks ground down and weathering powders. Recently switched to the PanPastels and I'll never look back. Easy to use, even easier to control the amount that goes on, and except for frequently handled areas (i.e., the sides of cars or locos), doesn't need to be coated to be durable.