Salt Weathering

Simulating paint chips and wear with salt

This close up shows how rust had caused the paint on the side of this AFV to flake away. Paint can also be removed due to regular wear and abrasions.

Introduction

This tutorial will provide a step-by-step guide to a technique that simulates paint chipping and rust effects using common table salt. The method is quick, easy and relatively forgiving.

Background

The pristine appearance of combat vehicles and aircraft when they come out of the factory does not tend to last very long when subjected to the hard realities of life in the field.
Even during times of peace, military equipment gets rough treatment since it will be subject to exercises that simulate combat. As a result, the upper coats of paint will often show the underlying layers due to wear and tear, corrosion, or accidents.

This German fighter plane exhibits unusual paint wear near the nose.Unless you intend to make your models as they appeared when brand new, then you will have to face the problem of simulating wear, damage and dirt - generally known as 'weathering'.