Rust/cast metal texture TUTORIAL

Lots of people have asked me over the past couple years how I get the rust texture on my armor and mecha models. Well, here it is, a tutorial about how to do it with some tools you might already have since we're all modelers here.

First a couple examples of what i'm talking about.

This is my Tamiya 1/48 Stug III kit, note the rusty mufflers:
http://www.bhop73.com/main/images/models/popups/military/stug/stug09.jpg

Another armor kit, this time my 1/48 Hetzer
http://www.bhop73.com/models/myhetzer/hetzer_final/hetzer3.jpg

This is a mecha kit from Maschinen Kreiger.
http://www.bhop73.com/models/mak/heinrich_final/DSC_5616.jpg

Now these are armor related kits, so you might wonder what this can be used for in cars? Well, here you go. Exhaust manifolds get rusty (well, stock ones anyway). Go look at your own car if you don't believe me.. heh.. also Ferrari valve covers have a texture because of the way they're cast. Car seats might have a fabric texture that can be simulated this way.

Here's my recent and still in progress 240zg engine's exhaust manifold:
http://www.bhop73.com/models/240zg_112/ex_manifold.jpg

Ok, enough for the introduction. You really want to see the tutorial, so here we go...(still typing below)

Ok, so the tools you'll need are simple. Mr Surfacer (i use 500, 1000 might work too.. dunno), and an old flat brush... easy eh?

http://www.bhop73.com/models/texture_tut/mrsurfacer.jpg

As you can see, this brush has seen better days. The stiffer the brush for this, the better.
http://www.bhop73.com/models/texture_tut/brush.jpg

Once you have those, just take your brush, dip it in the Mr Surfacer and brush some on your part.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/texture_tut/brush_on.jpg

Easy so far eh? So once you do that, BEFORE IT DRIES, take your brush and smash it up and down, like so.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/texture_tut/smash.gif

Keep doing that until you get the texture you want. The more you do it, the thicker the texture will be. Be aware of the scale your working in and don't overdo it, but if you do, lacquer thinner will tone it down.

That's pretty much it. You can see the results here. Compared to the original part.

http://www.bhop73.com/models/texture_tut/textured.jpg

All that's left is painting it. If you want it to look like rust.. well, that's a whole different tutorial.. hah.. but basically use browns and reds with a little black wash or drybrush to get the rusty look. I've also painted half of it red, like a nice Ferrari valve cover. Nice..

http://www.bhop73.com/models/texture_tut/painted.jpg

So that's it, hope you enjoyed that and hope it'll be useful for you.

later,
bhop

Very nice tutorial, thank you!

I like the idea of using animated gifs in a tutorial .-)

Very straightforward, I'll have to give that a try!

Awesome! Now I want to build a big rusty model.

That is a really well done tutorial!

Brilliant!!! Very helpful tutorial! Thanks a lot for sharing!

Great technique! Thanks for sharing.

Damn, that is a great idea. Now for the painting tutorial. ;)

Nice tutorial.

TS

Great tutorial and the animation is a really nice touch!
I'll sure give this technique a try soon.
Thanks

Great Tutorial! thanks!

Nice tutorial, I'll have to try this technique next time :)