WEATHERING: Lee Turner on Filters

Lee Turner uses many different techniques to weather customer’s equipment.  One method that he uses often to age the paint and lettering involves the use of filters.   A filter is a highly thinned paint that is sprayed on a model.  The paints are water-based acrylic.  Don’t try this with solvent-based paints.  Modelers who have worked on plastic aircraft and armor may already be familiar with the concept.  Some of the model paint companies sell premixed filters.  As you will see, Lee made his own tailored to typical railroad colors.

To illustrate the technique, Lee has provided an example of this technique via a couple of Western Maryland boxcar photos.   The filter is composed of 50% oxide red paint and 50% clear flat.  The filter mix is highly thinned and sprayed on the model. Once the filter was sprayed on over the decals then a wide flat brush damp with mean green was
pulled vertically down the side to streak. A little extra attention was given to the lettering by removing some more of the filter until it gave a faded appearance.

The Frisco car shown at the top of this post was done with washes and the WM car was done with a oxide red filter, 50% paint,50% clear flat and highly thinned. Once the filter was sprayed on over the decals then a wide flat brush damp with mean green was pulled vertically down the side to streak. A little extra attention was given to the lettering by removing some more of the filter until it gave a faded appearance.

 To further illustrate the filter technique combined with traditional airbrushed highlights, Lee sent a series of photos covering each step of the weathering process.

Here is the Protocraft car airbrushed with acrylics and covered with a flat finish after decaling.

The model was airbrushed with a filter composed of  Tamiya Hull red mixed with MM Black with clear flat.

The filter was scrubbed with Mean Green to loosen the spray. This was streaked down the sides.

Once the filter has dried,  spray on Burnt Umber as highlights on panel seams and corners.

Styrene mask used to highlight the panel seams. The Burnt Umber is airbrushed on.

Here is what the car looks like at this point in the process

The next step is to apply paint patches to the side. These are often done during shopping or during a reweigh. You may not see these on all cars but it is an important detail.

Lee added a paint panel for a reweigh where it changed the weight.

This what the finished car looks like. The resulting weathering reflects a car that has been in service for a while without the benefit of fresh paint. The seams have been accented with colored pencils to create rust patches.

I would like to thank Lee for his generosity in sharing these photos and techniques. Each of his methods can be done by most with practice.  He didn’t just started doing it.   Find some old car bodies and practice until you master each step.

Remember: JUST DO IT.

Happy Trails,

Gene

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