SPECIAL EFFECTS SET 1

What happens to a paint job over one summer

A coat of paint exposed to direct sun changes faster than one would expect. The upper surfaces of a vehicle, that is the engine deck, the roof of the turret and the upper part of a wing, lose their saturation within a few months, while the sides in shadow keep their original tone. It is precisely this difference that separates a model looking like a freshly sprayed object from a model that comes across as having service behind it. The three preparations in the set go after this transformation and do not try to add anything dramatic.

Dust, sun and dirt

The general dust is the most universal of the trio and suits practically anything that moved off a made-up road. The shade named after fading in the sun is light and slightly yellowish, it is applied purposely to the surfaces facing upwards and gives the impression that part of the coloring matter has left the paint. The inconspicuous dirtying is the darkest of the trio and is aimed at the places where grease mixed with dust collects, that is at hatches, around grab handles and along the lower edge of side boards.

How to dose it

All three preparations are intended to be laid over a large area at once, not for drawing lines with. The degree of strength is set by the number of layers, and that is why it pays to start weakly. Before use the contents have to be stirred, because the coloring matter sinks to the bottom and without stirring what is picked up out of the bottle is almost clear thinner. The procedure that has proved itself is to work from the lightest shade toward the darkest and to let the surface dry out completely between the individual layers; in a hurry the previous application dissolves and instead of a gentle transition a mark with a sharp edge arises. The model, brushes and a thinner are not included in the package.