weathered concrete

[BruceJob]

Can anyone offer tips or suggestions on getting the look of old concrete? I've used Floquil's "aged concrete" color, but it looks too light to me...any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

You can try a light dusting of black patel chalk brushed in. Then putting it on heavier in darker streaks where the tires of cars/trucks/ect. would run on the road. As with any thing make a test panel to to practice on.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what you are doing, but I bought a product a few years back called 'Scale Crete'. It was reviewed in either Model Railroader or Model Railroad Craftsman magazine shortly after it was introduced. I used it to coat a wooden model abutment. The final look was great. If you can find Scale Crete, I would consider using it.

'Old' concrete looks different from place to place for a variety of reasons. Usually, it becomes tan when 'wash gravels' are used for the coarse aggregate or pale grey when slates, limestones or granite is used for the coarse aggregate. The sand color will also effect the look but most sand is light brown (at least in my area, Virginia). Another highlight you may want to consider is the deep brown streaks found on neglected concrete structures where the stains of the rusted reinforcement are easily noticed on the surface. Unless you are modeling concrete streets, I would avoid showing the fine cracks always present in concrete. These cracks would not be visible in HO Scale unless the structure was is serious distress. Streets, on the other hand, are so severely neglected by our government that gargantuan cracks and pot holes are always present and would be clearly visible at Z Scale.

Finally, I would expect 'model' concrete to appear more faded than real concrete because of the appearance of 'distance' when viewing the scale world. That's one of the reasons we use Dullcoat isn't it? Good Luck - Ed

[Anonymous]

Try using what is called a black wash, I do mine using Testers model master flat black diluted 10 to 1 with Testers airbru***hinner, this should help bring out the separation lines as well as the fine cracks that appear in concrete, not to mention the other imperfections.....:o)

[BruceJob]

Thanks to all that responded. Over the weekend I tried a new technique (new to me, anyway) with the airbrush. After painting the silos with Floquil "Aged Concrete", I "dusted" them with some black paint in the airbrush.
If the airbrush is adjustable, set it to the finest spray. Hold the piece to be "dusted" about 24 inches away (arm's length works well) and make broad sweeps. I was pleased with the result...the light pattern of tiny paint droplets suggests pits in the concrete. Try this! You'll be impressed with the results!

[Fergmiester]

I was just rumaging through some old posts and thought this was an interesting one. Personally I use a highly diluted india ink wa***o tone things down.

Fergie

[Don Gibson]

CONCRETE

It's GRAY when fresh .
Turns WHITE when dry.
Turn's CREAMY YELLOW as it ages.

I use a wash of Floquil's MUD to acieve the amount of aging. don't forget Aged concrete always has stress crack's in it. Pencil work's fine.