For those of you that have picked up the latest issue of Fine Scale Modeler, there is a great article in there on using salt as a painting mask. Essentially, you dampen the model with water (after applying a base coat of your primer color), then apply salt followed by your top coat. Not only does it doa good job of replicating chips, but it has the added side affect of causing your colors to react differently where the salt water dried the most (at least with acrylics).

Anyway, here are a couple of shots showing the technique.

Nice job. I have got to try that on the KV 1 I am building. You did a great job of pitting the finish.
Well done
DJ

Looks great!!! Looks like this technique worked for you. What color did you use for the metal?

Excellent tip! Cheers PC.

I read the article on FSM and I wonderted if it was ok on AFVs too... and I have to say yes!!!
Thanks for sharing
Ciao

The base coat/primer was a custom mix of Tamiya grays. I seldom use bottle colors anymore, as I usually switch from color to color without cleaning the airbrush cup in between colors.

Cool looking - and "fun" looking too. I'll remember to give it a try when I find a subject to weather like that appropriately!

Gunnie

Looks great Mark .... was getting curious about this technique. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome looking. I am going to use this technique on one opf my projects. I hope my effort turns out half as good as yours. Well Done!!

Did you use sea salt like they suggested in the FSM article or just regular cooking salt?

It will be great fro burned/destroyed vehicles.Black and rust colors where you want them exposed,then add salt,then main color.Hmm what an idea.
(++)

Man, that looks great.

I'm anxious to try this on my next model. I'm looking to simulate some basic paint erosion, so I'll probably use table salt for my approach.

Heh heh - I smell (pun intended) a Burned/Destroyed Vehicles Campaign coming!

Gunnie
shy Campaign Manager...

i see you apply very good what you read good job Mark

Gettin ready to try this on the Panzer II, I am building....looks good, hope mine comes out looking that good.

J

Thanks for the tip might be an idea to share it on a Digital Diamond for everyone will be a shame that more modelers will miss this on

This looks very slick when done. How heavy or light did you apply the salt mixture. Did the salt disolve in the solution or did it go on in a gritty fashion?

Ken--that's a good question. The FSM article make it look simple. However, how does the salt resist either blowing away from the airbrush or dissolving from the application on the paint? It looks super, but I am concerned about the effects I mentioned. Appreciate anyone's insights.
thanks
DJ

I used this technique on a winterized Wespe that I am doing. I did not use as much salt as on the T55, but it did work very well. The trick is to let make sure that the salt is completely dried before painting. The salt did not blow off with the airbrush. All you have to do is once your base coat is dried, brush the salt away. The really cool thing is that the salt leaves an irregular "chip" when brushed away.

Patrick

this site never ceases to amaze me!

It will dissolve slighty, but that is mostly based on how much water you apply. It doesn't take much water to make the salt stick.

I think it is a really useful technique and extremely easy to do.

Sir--that is why we exist. Amazing people contribute to these forums. Try the History Forum and vote to bring back the Current Forum.
DJ

I re read the FSM article and it is unclear to me if regular table salt can produce this effect. Someone mentioned "sea salt." If that is the correct ingredient, where does one get sea salt?
thanks
DJ

Ummmm - Nah! Too easy...

Gunnie