Rusting

[SgtMalarky]

Have a look at the rusting effect using Delux Materials scenic rust. As someone who is new to this is it deemed acceptable to use this type of product?

Must admit the effects are pretty convincing. . .

[Max-U52]

That does look very effective, but be careful not to get carried away. I see a lot of great builds that have way too much weathering on them. These tanks were very well maintained and things like rust were quickly repaired, but still a lot of guys weather their tanks until they look like they've been sitting in a field for 50 years. In weathering, less is more, eh?

[88-bait]

The effect is very convincing and would be fine for exhausts and knocked out hulks, but its a bit heavy for anything else. I just had a repaint on my M4A1/76 as I overdid the weathering. Ya have to know when to stop. As for Dulux, best use what works as far as I'm concerned

[jackalope]

I see that's a Tiger 1 mudflap, that rust would be PERFECT for the exhaust shields on a Tiger 1 but no where else. As mentioned above many people like to heavily weather their tanks and that is their choice but don't forget these tanks were VERY well maintained in the field and you'd be hard pressed to find a rusty looking tank that wasn't knocked out long ago. Sure you'll have mud and grime and damage from driving through trees but not rust.

Look at old photos to get a better idea of where rust would be found as its not that common.

[SgtMalarky]

I reckon looking at the result I will only use sparingly on the exhaust shields. This stuff will be good for dioramas - I guess thats why its called Scenic Rust I suppose. As this is a spare mud flap I have I thought I'd test on it. A little goes a long way. Better start thinking about a knocked vehicle so that I can really get carried away!

[HERMAN BIX]

Good call mate, traveling around the world lucky to see many of the iconic AFV's from this era, most stored alfresco, the rust is very minimal.
Even the thin sheet guards, and suchlike are not as corroded as you would think. Yes, some of these sections may have been replaced, but most were original.
The armour where not painted has taken on the very dark brown of a railway line, and the thin sheet has a bit more orange, but certainly no scale.
I understand the relevant environment does count, but hey, 70 years in the open and they are not rusted hulks yet
Any welds were all pristine on the armour due to the high nickle in the welding electrodes to join the high quality plate, and the secondary welds unpainted were more brown than orange with only staining visible on areas below it.

Heated metal will oxidise very heavily, thats the nature of heat & steel, so a long knocked out burned tank will rust in the heat affected areas.

[SgtMalarky]

Great information mate, I only have been to Bovington, so rely heavily on your experience. I am sure there is more you can tell me. You keep answering an I'll keep asking!! If it's OK with you ans Shaun!

[HERMAN BIX]

Sure, ask away mate. Im no expert, but getting eyes on actual tanks that are essentially battlefield wrecks, recovered and looked after rather than restored, theres no hiding things.
Interiors however..........different story. Again, armour was fine, but the add-ons seem to be in very poor condition.