I have seen all the posts about rusting, weathering and chipping but don't see anything about depicting an area that may have rusted through like a floorboard where the sheet metal has become paperthin and finally rusted through.

I have the RustAll kit for doing surface rust and the like and really like the salt method for doing chipped paint areas.

Any suggestions on rust throughs?

Thanks in advance.

Fabricate the rusted out part, with heavy metal foil or thin walled metal tube.

And then? I have the side wall of a pontoon and a tank that I want to give a rusted through look... if that helps... will try to post a photo tomorrow. AF doesn't want to allow me access to my photosharing sites

Thin it through with a mini-tool allowing it to break through in random locations then paint up.

Or thin it with a mini tool and don't break through. When it is paper thin, use the tip of an X-acto knife to make little breaks in the plastic--you'll have more control.
That said, bear in mind it takes years for something to rust through--wars don't generally last that long, and military equipment has a very short lifespan in combat. Peacetime equipment, especially in Third World countries, may show that kind of deterioration.

Gerald, this will be a tank partially buried in a sand dune on a beach for years... thus the rusted out walls...

but thanks!

What material are you using?

Some years ago someone made a nice rusted SdKfz9 (can't remember who, I'm afraid).
I think the sections he'd depicted as having rusted through were made by leaving metal parts in acid (maybe etching fluid?) for a little longer than normal. It looked very good.
On the other hand, if you're using plastic this won't work of course

Cheers

Sean

Yep...with plastic that the way!

Good idea, Sean... I may be fabricating those areas out of aluminum soda can since they are mostly flat... wonder what will corrode aluminum...

50/50 bleach and water.

4 minutes will put pinholes in cheap aluminum foil.

Good luck!

I knew I could get good answers here... I am really getting good input for all of this project! Will be posting in dioramas... thanks to everyone!

This is the effect I am hoping to achieve...


and


I think you have all gotten me on the correct heading (I would have said track but in an armor forum... well, it's little obvious...)