Model Forum / General / Models / August 2007

    I'd suggest you look through some recent books on painting
   and weathering armor models, since car guys tend to build their
   models "clean", and airplane modelers generally don't tend to
   panel fade and filter theirs.

    Quickly - panel fading would be to paint a surface a ligher
   color toward the center of the panel, leaving the edges darker,
   to simulate fading. "filtering" is generally a washing technique,
   used to break up an otherwise monochromatic surface. I generally
   prefer oils, on a wet surface (NOT the base surface!) but wet
   with turpentine, thinner, etc. You can also use this to show
   rust/grime streaks, as you pull a tiny bit of oil paint down a
   wet surface, just like it would flow on the real thing.

    Oh, and it helps to use say, oils on a cured (semi-)gloss
   surface. Flat surfaces tend to have too much "tooth", and make
   it difficult to remove an effect you do not like. A gloss base
   also makes it easier to (pin) wash your model as the gloss
   surface allows the wash to capillary along the detail, while
   a flat surface creates puddles. Flatten when done.

    Did I mention not using the same base as your weathering?
   That way, you don't soften the base surface with the thinner when
   you wet the surface. Yes, you paint the thinner on the base.

    Practice on an old model first, to get some confidence for
   what you are doing. Really, it is easy to do (and easier to OVER
   do). It is a lot more difficult to describe, as opposed to show.

    While armor would be weather to show dust and dirt, a PT
   boat should show salt and coral dust or dirt staining, depending
   on where it was based, as well as a lot of sun fading.

                            Bruce

Not only did I find stuff on how to paint weather a model ship, I found
stuff on how to paint and weather the PT-109 specifically.
http://www.rumrunnerracing.com/feforums/showthread.php?t=20345
http://www.ptboats.org/cgi-local/sitenetbbs/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=42
7&pg=1&sc=20&x=0
http://home.att.net/~ShipmodelFAQ/smf-q045.html
http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/builds/rm/build_rm_pt-117.shtml
http://www.ptboats.org/cgi-local/sitenetbbs/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=19
6&pg=11&sc=20&x=0
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3806756/anchors_3995646/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm
.htm#3995646
Those working navigation lights look really great on that last one.

Pat

Check out my how to cd on Weathering Ship Models at
flagshipmodels.com.  LOTS of color photos, tips and techniques
explaining the process.

Rusty White
Flagship Models Inc.
www.flagshipmodels.com

If you have an airbrush, overspray with a VERY light coat of matt
white or very light grey.