Hints & Tips

Dry Brushing Models

The difference between a good and a great model is realism. Dry brushing is a good technique to help achieve this. In simple words it is applying paint with the brush dry. Dry? Yes, dry. Let's explain.

The idea is to dry the brush so when you pass it over, only a little bit of paint will get to the high spots. With each pass it builds up to the desired effect. A common effect is dry brushing the chassis of a car with metallic paint so it looks like "used". (Check the picture of my green '67 roadster's bottom)

Besides the obvious paint and brush, you will need a paper towel. The brush should be wide, like a # 6. Avoid using 0, 000 or small brushes because you usually want to cover a wide area.

Dip the tip of the brush in metallic paint, such as chrome silver, steel or aluminum, and with the paper towel between your thumb and index finger, press and pull the brush to dry it, and to flatten the tip of the brush.

To see if it is dry enough, touch a scrap piece of plastic, with the brush vertically oriented. If it paints the piece, it is still wet.

Now you are ready to pass it over let's say the black painted front suspension of a mid-year Corvette. At first, you should notice that nothing is happening. Keep doing it until you see the high spots come to live.

Be logical on your pattern. For instance, a chassis should be dry brushed parallel to the car's centerline.

Other effects you can create, is dry brushing a lighter shade of the interior's color in the high spots of the door panels and seats, for a slightly used effect.

Radiators and transmissions are also good candidates for this technique. It is specially helpful with molded in bolts and nuts, like a solid axle Corvette differential. Painted racing engines have bolts that are scraped from use. Get the idea?

As with any other technique, don't be carried away. Do not over do it. Practice and common sense will help you. Again, don’t be afraid of experimenting and have fun!!!!

Summary

When I started building car models forty years ago... the idea was to build the cleanest, shiniest.. car possible.  When military modeling became popular in the '70's, those of us building tanks and airplanes learned weathering techniques to make realistic models for diorama scenes.  Since the mid 80's it has become more acceptable to lightly weather that carefully crafted, prize winning Corvette that you have worked on for the past six months.  As Ismael pointed out in his article.. there is an art and acquired skill to weathering a Corvette so there is just the hint of occasionally use on the chassis and running gear... Al

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Page updated  01/03/00