Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
You can make a painted model look worn with a basecoat, a nearly dry brush of metallic paint, and a diluted black acrylic wash. The metallic catches raised edges to suggest chipped paint; the wash settles in recesses to suggest grime. A few carefully placed chips add definition, but weathering looks most convincing when it follows plausible contact and dirt patterns rather than covering every surface.
What you need
- A painted model with a hard-dry basecoat
- Metallic hobby paint and black acrylic paint
- A brush for drybrushing and a thin detail brush
- A paper towel and a small amount of water for thinning the acrylic
A purpose-made drybrush is convenient, but Jason Babler’s 2013 Make: tutorial suggests cutting an old brush flat as an alternative. It lists Citadel Chainmail and Krylon Fusion as the products he chose for that project; these are examples from 2013, not required or guaranteed-current products.
Step 1: Apply a basecoat
Choose the main color and apply it evenly. Let it dry thoroughly before adding weathering, especially if you are working on a model kit. Babler used bright red Krylon Fusion spray paint on his plastic robot and skipped primer for that particular project; that is not a general rule for other plastics, paints, or models. Follow the coating manufacturer’s surface-preparation and drying instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Rust & Weathering Model Paint Set】Professional acrylic weathering effect paints designed for scale models, miniatures, vehicles, terrain, dioramas and 3D prints. This 10-color set helps create realistic rust, stains, streaking, dirt, aging and worn surface effects, adding more depth and story to model projects.
- 【10 Weathering Colors + Thinner】Includes 10 acrylic weathering effect colors and 1 acrylic thinner. Each 20ml dropper bottle gives precise control, cleaner mixing and less waste. The included thinner helps adjust intensity, improve flow, soften transitions and create washes, filters, streaks and blended weathering effects.
- 【Realistic Rust, Dirt & Streaking Effects】Great for building layered rust, dirty edges, rain marks, oil stains, dusty surfaces, aged metal and worn details. Use on tanks, aircraft, model cars, mecha, weapons, armor, engines, tracks, buildings, rocks, wood, mud and battlefield terrain for a more realistic finish.
- 【Brush-Ready & Airbrush Compatible】Ready to use for brush painting straight from the bottle. Apply directly for stronger weathering effects, or thin as needed for softer stains, subtle aging, streaking lines, glaze/filter effects and airbrush use. Suitable for beginners while giving advanced painters more control over layered effects.
- 【Made for Models, Terrain & Dioramas】Works on plastic, resin, metal, wood, PVC figures, 3D prints and other clean, dry hobby surfaces. Perfect for scale vehicles, tabletop miniatures, sci-fi models, fantasy figures, industrial terrain, abandoned machinery and diorama scenes. Primer is recommended on very smooth materials for stronger adhesion.
Step 2: Drybrush metallic paint onto raised edges
Put a little metallic paint on the brush, then wipe most of it onto a paper towel. Test the brush on scrap or another surface: it should leave a faint mark, not a wet stripe. As Babler puts it, “Drybrushing means exactly that: the brush should not be wet with paint, it needs to have barely any paint on it.”
Lightly sweep the brush over raised corners, edges, and details. The small amount of paint catches those high points while leaving most of the basecoat intact, suggesting paint rubbed away to reveal metal. Work selectively on places likely to be bumped or handled. If an edge turns into a solid metallic line, the brush is carrying too much paint; wipe it off and use a lighter touch.
Rank #2
- REALISTIC WEATHERING: Natural and synthetic pigments designed for mud, sand, dust, and climate effects on models and dioramas
- 4 COLOR SET: Includes 73.103 Dark Yellow Ochre, 73.110 Burnt Umber, 73.115 Natural Iron Oxide, 73.121 Desert Dust
- HIGH ADHESION: Fine-milled pigments apply easily by brush and help create believable wear on vehicles, terrain, and scenes
- VERSATILE APPLICATION: Use dry, with Thinner, or with Pigment Binder to simulate dirt buildup, dry mud, and dusty surfaces
- FOR MODELERS: Ideal for hobby painters and diorama builders looking for reliable, realistic effects and easy cleanup with water
Step 3: Add a few chips and a grime wash
Paint larger chips sparingly
Use a thin detail brush to add a few larger scrapes where contact could plausibly remove paint. Keep them irregular and restrained; scattered chips across every panel can make the model look patterned rather than worn.
Let diluted black acrylic settle into recesses
Thin black acrylic with a little water until it flows readily, then touch it into seams, corners, and other recessed areas. The liquid gathers in low spots, suggesting accumulated grime. Dab excess wash away with a clean brush or cloth while it is still workable for a subtler result; leave more in place for stronger shadow and dirt. Build the effect gradually rather than flooding the surface.
Rank #3
![TAMIYA Weathering Master 6-Sets(A,B,C,D,E,F) [Japan Import] Model:](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zT9nc-esL._SL160_.jpg)
- Packing of TAMIYA's weather alteration master 6sets (A, B, C, D, E, F).
- The semi-wet material adheres well and does not creep into surrounding areas. Use the included tool to apply. Perfect for adding a touch of detail to finished models.
- A-set[87079]:Sand,Lighit-sand,Mud / B-set[87080]:Snow,Soot,Rust/C-set[87085]:Rust-Orange,Gun-metal,Silver
- D-set[87088]:Burnt-blue,Burnt-red,Oil-stain/E-set[87098]:Yellow,Gray,Green/F-set[87123]:Titanium, Light-gun-metal,Copper
- Made in Japan
Choose the wash and finish for the effect
A DIY diluted acrylic wash is a straightforward option when you want to use paint already on hand and control how dark or local the grime appears. Premixed weathering washes are more convenient, but their behavior depends on the product and the surface underneath. Airfix describes washes as flowing into panel lines and shadows, while drybrushing catches raised detail; its guidance also notes that unfixed powder can rub off. For model kits, Humbrol distinguishes enamel washes for grime, oil stains, and wear from powders for dust and dirt. Its listed enamel washes dry in 10 to 20 minutes, a product-specific time, not a general drying estimate.
For kit finishes, Humbrol recommends applying effects over a hard-dry base, working in stages, and testing a small area first. If you use powders, fix them when handling could dislodge them. These product-specific recommendations complement rather than replace the simple acrylic method above. More elaborate effects can depict different materials and conditions—official Warhammer Community examples include armour chipping, rust, and verdigris—but they are optional; a basic three-paint effect does not require specialist products.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Rust, Stains & Streaking model paint set is a selection of colors created to represent the effects of rust on metallic surfaces, weathering on different surfaces, and the accumulation of dirt in specific areas. If you want to take the effects you apply to your vehicles and dioramas to a higher level, this is the set for you. Includes a complete step-by-step painting guide by Rob Ferreira (Scratchmod)
- The set consists of 8 bottles of 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.) and contains the following colors: 70.872 Chocolate Brown - 70.822 Camouflage Black Brown - 70.771 Dark Rust - 70.981 Orange Brown - 70.818 Red Leather - 71.130 Orange Rust - 71.077 Wood - 74.505 Light Rust
- The water-based formula of the Model Color range has been specifically developed for adhesion on difficult surfaces such as metal and plastic. In addition, the consistency of the paints allows for an extremely smooth and uniform paint film, which leaves no traces of brush strokes
- The Model Color range is one of the most popular among modelers. This line is characterized by its wide variety of colors, with more than 200 different shades. The paints in the Model Color range are known for their excellent coverage and easy application, allowing for authentic and detailed results
- Note: The brand Vallejo is currently in the process of rebranding, therefore, for a period of time, it is possible that you may receive the product with either the new packaging or the old packaging
Rank #4
- The Railroad Weathering model paint set has been designed by Chema Cabrero, this set includes 8 colors suitable to portrait effects of dirt, wear and rust on all types of railroad equipment, both civilian and military: passenger and freight cars, locomotives, platforms or any vehicle on rails. The set includes a detailed step-by-step painting guide by the author
- The set consists of 8 bottles of 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.) with eyedropper and contains the following colors: 70.981 Orange Brown - 71.042 Dark Brown RLM61 - 74.506 Rust - 74.513 Brown - 74.521 Oiled Earth - 76.813 Oil Stains - 76.817 Petrol Spills - 76.818 Brown Engine Soot
- The colors have been formulated for brush application, but it can be used with an airbrush if properly diluted with Airbrush Thinner. Colors are easy to apply and blend, offer a matt finish and excellent self-leveling properties that prevent brush strokes from showing on the painted surface. Formulated with state-of-the-art resins, paints provide a high resistance to handling and rubbing
- The new Game Color formulation represents a new approach to painting figures. Developed by our experts together with professional modelers, the new range implies a further step in the evolution of miniature painting by offering an intuitive and easy-to-learn painting method to new generations. The paint spreads very smoothly, is more fluid, opaque and contains a high pigment saturation, chosen for their brightness, maximum stability and resistance to light
- Note: The brand Vallejo is currently in the process of rebranding, therefore, for a period of time, it is possible that you may receive the product with either the new packaging or the old packaging
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
