The Weathered Locomotive: Easy Pro Paint Fade Tip

This clip demonstrates how easy it is to fade any color on a scale model with a traditional paint brush and water based paint. Materials used: Tamiya Flat Base X-21, Vallejo Model Air Burnt Umber #71.040 (wash), Paint Brush: Princeton Select Round Blender #6. Thinner: Water and/or 99% Isopropyl Alcohol to thin.
Intro Music by: Jesse Gallagher--Divine Life Society.

[boomerdiorama]

The Art of Weathering is best understood as many layers (glazes), and mediums, coupled with reactionary effects by way of trial and error through deliberate risk.

[DeIv]

I deeply appreciate the encouraging and enabling atmosphere of these videos. Beside this I learn a lot for free and l am soooo looking forward to try things out, play around, make mistakes and have some fun with the models. Thanks a lot!

[peacefulmind]

I'm glad I finally found you. Your skills are amazing! I'm at the point where I have many custom locos with paint, decals and a lacquer gloss coat. But they need a little more detail and your videos will help teach me how to do that. Thank You!

[StationaryDingleberry]

I feel like I found the William Alexander and Bob Ross of weathering...wonderful. Thank you.

[howlandneal]

It's always nice to find a simple straightforward solution versus paying for specialty products. Thank you!

[mattw]

Mr. Boomer. Been watching your since you were at about 250 subs and I just rewatched this video. I hadn't noticed how much you've changed, referring to your YouTube presence only. Almost like from humble beginnings to sure and confident presenter. Gonna try this technique on my next custom rolling stock endeavor. As always, thanks for the great tips! Matt

[visibletoallusers]

Hi @boomerdiorama. This is really amazing. I couldn’t wait to try it and the Tamiya product was going to take a day or two, whereas my local guy had the equivalent Mr. Color # 30. Well… it does not whiten up and is unfit for the purpose. Maybe great as a flat base but it won’t do what Tamiya X-21 does in this application. The more you know.

[segundaaguada]

Excellent tip. Thanks for the heads up over a product, as you well say, that goes unnoticed.

[rrsteve]

Just gave this technique a try...amazed by the results! Thanks, Boomer - yet again!

[darrenhillman]

Really good technique. Thanks for sharing with us!

[mr.e]

I have never seen this before. Those models look amazing! I am going to the model shop as soon as I can to get that medium and try it myself. Thanks for sharing Boomer!

[brentN]

Great video. Like you said, you cannot go wrong because there is no definite shape to rust and dirt. The same with clouds. When you.paint them there is no definite shape. Thank you.for sharing.

[herrkiwi]

This was very helpful ! Thanks once again. :-) I made the mistake of trying to spray this with my airbrush on one of my wagons and ended up with hailstones on it and couldn't understand why. Now I think I get the picture.

[Jeremiah_Johnson]

Brilliant! This is exactly what I needed!

[Panzermeister]

I will have to try this out. I never thought of brushing on X-21...I've only sprayed it and it didn't cover out too great. I'm also thinking -- like you mentioned -- about mixing it with a different colour and seeing how that works. Rust, dark brown, or dust colours would all be able to produce different effects. Thank you!

[TMandN]

Yep, the trick is to layer, and dont be afraid to try. The results sometimes may surprise you. I experiment with different methods all the time with various results!

[AirbornePICS]

New sub here and new to the hobby. I love your videos. I used this technique to weather a box car and I over did it with the X-21 and didn't brush off enough of it. How do I tone down the X-21 white after I have already painted several washes over it? Thanks for your videos and your help.

[craiglowrey]

"Til the cows come home"? Boomer?
I haven't heard that since my ol' gran used to say it...lol
BTW, nice fading and aging process.
Keep up the good work.

[alanrogers]

Wow. Thanks. I have done some awefull things with that stuff and given up. Im gonna try again right now. Subbd too.

[mrbob]

Really nice presentation. I was wondering can you use that on a black car to give it an old look. IE 36 ford coupe orginal color with rust spots?