One of the best kept secrets in the world of modeling pigments is TankRat’s Industrial Weathering Pigments. They have been available on the TankRat website for about a year now. TankRat Industrial Weathering Pigments are a high quality pigment, finely ground with a deep color saturation.
review
These pigments stay adhered to the piece you are working on and don’t need a ’fixative’ to stay permanent. They can be applied in all the usual methods, dry, wetted with alcohol, Windex or any other type of carrier. They can be thinned with a carrier (alcohol/water etc.) and airbrushed or brushed on straight out of the container.
They can be mixed effectively with acrylic gels or like products to simulate mud. The imagination of the model builder is the only limitation on how these pigments can be used and applied.
The product comes in a 2.5 inch (6.4cm) wide by 1.24 inch (3.2cm) high wide mouthed container. You can’t knock it over. Each jar contains approximately 2 oz. of pigment. The examples I am using for this review vary in weight between 2.5 oz. and 2.8 oz. The containers are all uniform and weigh in at .50 oz. so you are getting a full 2 oz. of pigment. I believe this is twice as much (if not more) usable material as any of the other companies producing pigment for model builders.
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The following 21 pigment colors available and currently offered on the TankRat website:
Shadow Grey, Light Grey, Millstone, Red Clay, Pebble Dirt, Dark Rust, Chicago Red Brick, Dark Brick , Tile Red , Dark Red Clay, Quarry Stone, Worn Brick, Fresh Rust, Terra Cotta, Adobe Dark Dust,Dark Brown, Saddle Brown Dirt,
Orange Brick Dust, Dark Brown Mud, Mocha Brown Dirt, Grass Stain Patina
I understand that there are now 23 colors available now including three variations of black, four variations of rust and two versions of “grass stain”. At the time of this review the colors are offered individually however it is my understanding that very soon there will be sets of various colors available.
conclusion
They adhere very well to surfaces and don’t ‘require’ a fixative, although you can overspray them without losing color intensity. A ‘Green’ product: environmentally friendly and non-toxic. One jar of pigment, used normally to weather AFV’s, should last one modeler a lifetime.
SUMMARY
Highs: Broad range of colors that can be mixed for further variations.Lows:Verdict: Considering all the high priced, small container pigments available to modelers, this is a good product with a generous amount in the jar at a reasonable price.
About Charles Reading (CReading) FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
I live in the mountains north of Santa Cruz California. I have been building now since the early 1990's when I rediscovered modeling. Most of my kits are built with dioramas in mind. I took a "creative block" hiatis for a couple years - 2011 to 2013. I wasn't active in the modeling world. During tha...
I have two questions for you as I note you do not list any negatives:
1. The pigment appears very clumpy in the pictures, so do you need to do any prep work to rectify this?
2. Do you find the colour range available restrictive?
Thank you for the review.
Darren,
In answer to your questions:
I believe the clumping occurred because the pigments are very finely ground and adhere very well - they are sticking together . All it took was to touch them with a brush to have the "clumps" break up. I believe this is more of a 'appearance' thing in the photos than a problem.
I note the 21 colors listed on the TankRat website and that they are adding additional colors to the line. I think at this time that they offer a broad selection of colors to choose from and additional colors are forthcoming.
I didn't mark any 'lows' as the product worked as advertised, really adheres to surfaces well, doesn't require a 'fixative' overcoat and for the amount in the container, the cost is very reasonable.
Having used a wide variety of pigments/powders over the years I found these to be among the best I've come across.
Cheers,
Charles
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