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Need Advice - Weather Decals

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Need Advice - Weather Decals
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Monday, February 5, 2018 11:12 AM

Can someone recommend what grit sandpaper I should use to age the decal once it's set and sealed?

It's been a while since I weathered a decal on brick and wood. 


A search on the topic didn't discuss the sanding technique.

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Monday, February 5, 2018 11:58 AM

On my rolling stock, I usually use the scotch pad stuff, the finer material, like the scrubby pads you use on dishes.  It does a good job of fading the decal, or the numbering on a freight car or loco.

I would think it would work on buildings, too.  Anything sandpaper seems a little rough to me, but, maybe something like the 600 wet/dry stuff?

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Texas, USA
  • 33 posts
Posted by PennsyNut on Monday, February 5, 2018 12:07 PM

I don't know the answer. But: emory board is better than sandpaper. More flexible. OTOH I do use lady's finger polishers/not nail files. I bought them at a Dollar store and they are on sticks. Some are very rigid and harder to work with. Some are just slightly flexible and easier to work with. I know this may not be your choice, but I thought I'd give you MHO & FYI.

A SPF,Nuts about Pennsy,what else is there?
  • Member since
    April 2017
  • 90 posts
Posted by Yannis on Monday, February 5, 2018 12:28 PM

It really depends on how aggressive weathering you wish to achieve. On rolling stock or airplanes i start with #2000 and go to #12000.

If you want to heavily weather decals on walls etc, i think you could start with #600 or #800. As always practice/experiment first on some scrap.

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