If a judge thinks you've weathered your vehicle too much, he'll mark you down.

Model shows have meant there have to be "objective" criteria for a subjective reaction. ...

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If a judge thinks you've weathered your vehicle too much, he'll mark you down.

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Sorry but I have to disagree with you there Bill. I've competed at several AMPS contests over the years, the most recent being Nationals in Auburn where I took a perfect score gold medal in advanced and my model would surely be judged as 'over weathered' by some of my peers.

A judge may feel your weathering on the vehicle doesn't match your groundwork and deduct for that, or if the weathering is done poorly and doesn't improve the finish of the model you can have a deduction. It's more about the continuity and skill in your application and presentation, not 'too little' or 'too much' which is far too subjective.

Here are the rules for AMPS that concerns weathering and finishes.



Weathering (1.5 points). The judges will look at how the vehicle is weathered. The term ‘weathering’ does not necessarily mean action-related mud, peeling paint, and the like, but refers to treatment beyond the basic finish required to achieve the desired effect. For example, a factory-new vehicle would still have a certain amount of rust on the tracks, or wear on the track teeth. Judges cannot hold it against a modeler if he chooses not to show wear on a shovel. The judges should score the model as the modeler presents it. A model shown as new should be viewed and scored as such.

Judges Note: What is important in judging weathering is how the modeler has improved the finish of the model. No technique is mandatory; it is the final effect that counts. The use of washes, powders, drybrushing and paint chipping might be perfect for a vehicle, but if these weathering techniques do not improve the finish of the model, points should not be awarded. A model with no washes or drybrushing could still obtain points depending on possible subtleties in the applied paint.

Finish continuity (1.0 point). The judges will look at how the modeler has blended the finish and weathering together to create a visually balanced and homogenous arrangement. Examples that do NOT show a sensible and logically finished model would include a vehicle with muddy roadwheels and clean track or mud on the track and suspension with a clean hull. Finish continuity does not mean a vehicle must be equally weathered over its entire surface, but it does mean the vehicle must be logically weathered. A full point awarded here means the modeler has considered reality, consistency and presentation.

... I still see problems from time to time with an individual judging crew. It is much better but still not perfect. ...

Determining how and whether a modeler has matched his or her skills to the subject matter remains too subjective for my personality, so, again, I demur from struggling against someone else's system that clearly works for large numbers of hobbyists.

Interesting how this discussion has evolved from the original poster's questions and observations!

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Build for yourself first and let your critics have their say. At the end of the day, the only person that has to be happy with your build is you.

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^^ That right there sums up my feelings on this topic.

It's a hobby, one that consists of little plastic models so I personally try not to take it too seriously. Who am I to say what is over weathered for someone else? According to what parameters do I base said actions on? Who am I to dictate what the 'proper way' someone spends their time should be.

It would be incredibly presumptuous of me to think I have the right to judge how someone else enjoys what they do.