The Ship Model Forum

Hi Guys,

I´m building my first 1/350 BB with PE and Weathering. The Project rocks so far. But i need some Help for the weathering of the Hull below the waterline. Want to replicate the effect that looks like the AK Interactive German Cruiser (the greyish horizontal streaks near the bow). My try looks like this - a bit aweful.

Could someone help?

I honestly don't see much wrong with it--the realism looks astounding! I would however tone down the bright orange rust splotches at and below the waterline (make them the older, darker, almost black rust) and reduce them in size as it would be rare for the paint to 'fail' and corrosion to begin in such large localized areas without adjacent wear. They look sort of out of scale.

Most people don't weather the hull, they just concentrate their efforts above the waterline and a glance below shows a pristine hull and bright, shiny golden props...

_________________
~Harq

That looks really good for a first attempt!

In armour modelling, both the rust and grey spots would be called 'chipping' (as in paint has chipped away and reveals underlying paintlayers or bare metal/rust).
Applying the chips simply takes practice, with finesse and realistic looking irregularity being the hardest aspects to achieve. For armour modellers, mastering this is an (almost) never ending quest. So don't feel bad if your first try doens't look exactly like the AK video; give it some time and practice.
Things which can help are:
- studying (photo's of) models on which you really like the effect.
- studying (photo's of) the real thing: chipped paint on real ships.
Look at their sizes, shapes, colours, etc. ... and try to mimic this on your model.

One tip: usually big chips are accompanied by many smaller or even really tiny chips. These small one make the big ones look more realistic too when done on a model.

And I agree with the rusted parts: try to tone down at least some of them with dark brown paint. IMHO, many ship modellers use too much bright orangy colours for rust.

Cheers,

Marijn

Hi Guys,

thx for the tipps.

@Harquebus
try to weather the hull like seen in many pics of warships in dry dock. it´s sad, that there colored photos from the ww2 era are rare. the next step on my workbench are fujimi kongo (wt pontos) or myoko (like the late years with massive aa-artillery).

@marijn van gils
are you the one form modelling full ahead? had seen the last days many vids about chipping und warfare in scale. impressive work so far. tryed the chipping fluid from ak - worked well. used it on the other side with a maskol-like chipping (maybe photos next, lot of work in my company).

Hi Guys,

so - after busy days at work some progress. The other side of the hull was done with

chipping fluid
sponge and
liquid masking tape (lower hull).

The upper part at the waterline were painted with a brush. rust was made with vallejo
acrylics (mixed to different tones). Streaking and fading with emanel (revell, AK and Mig).

So - feel free to debate und critic, too.

Looks much better and the weathering more extensive--I especially like the light brown and grayish weathering further aft below the waterline. This could be marine growth, abrasion and the exposure of the "primer" layer of paint. I think you have shown good restraint too because there is a tendency to overdo it.

_________________
~Harq