Rust Effect Weathering Liquid (ex-Modelmates) Dirty Down

Simulate atmospheric oxidisation of aged metals effortlessly. Water soluble to easily tone back effects for the perfect result.

The dark coloured liquid dries to a high matt rust colour in 1 to 5 minutes depending on the temperature. Apply rust paint by brush or airbrush/sprayer. Rust paint looks best when applied to rough, textured surfaces.

Download instructions on Rust Paint page

Usage Instructions

• The pot and surface should be at room temperature or warmer before use. The rust colour may not appear if the pot and/or the surface are very cold.
• The mixture will settle on the bottom of the pot. Its very important to thoroughly shake the pot with the ball bearings rattling before each and every use. Thoroughly stir the mixture and ensure that solids on the bottom of the pot are fully mixed into the liquid. Repeat stirring and shaking until all lumps have gone. It’s much better to shake and stir rust paint when the pot is at room temperature or warmer. If the pot is cold it may not be possible to fully mix any solids into the liquid.
• Use rust paint straight from the pot. Replace the lid quickly during use to prevent the liquid from evaporating or decant what you need to use for a job into a separate smaller pot/container with a lid.
• Do not add water into the paint pot – this may prevent the colour from forming.
• Ensure surfaces are clean, dry and grease free. Test the paint on hidden surfaces before use to ensure compatibility and adhesion.
• Only apply to non-porous surfaces such as plastic and metal. Do not apply to porous/absorbent surfaces such as bare timber or paper. Rust paint can be applied to painted surfaces, but test first. If the effect does not form, try first sealing the surface with varnish.
• Rust paint is water soluble and the effects of painting will be lost by washing in water or by getting wet, but there may still be staining. Do not expose rust paint to rain or splashing with water.
• To fill dents and grooves in surfaces, first cover the surface with rust paint, and then wipe the paint off the raised areas with a damp cloth (at an angle to the grooves), leaving some of the paint trapped. The wetter the cloth, the more paint removed.
• When fully dry, rust paint can be made more permanent by spraying with fine/mist coats of acrylic varnish/lacquer. Test varnish first because types of varnish change the colour/shade of the paint.
• When dry, avoid scuffing/scratching the finished paintwork.

For the best results it’s best to practise different techniques listed below before final use.

• To darken the shade apply more coats. Allow each coat to fully dry before applying another. Any number of coats of rust paint can be applied over the top of each other. For a broken, patchy effect apply to small areas/patches at a time and allow to dry – more in some areas, less in others.
• The shade will vary depending on the quantity applied. A thick coat of paint will dry a darker shade, and a thin coat of paint will dry a lighter shade.
• Further variations in shade can be created by dabbing a damp or wet brush, cloth or tissue onto the painted surface and then leaving to dry. As the water dries, the dye in the paint separates into shades of light and dark rust. The more water used, the greater the effect. This technique can be used after the paint has dried or while it is still wet. Another option is to simply splash water onto the rust paint and leave to dry – without dabbing.
• For a very dark shade, decant a small amount into a separate pot and allow the paint to evaporate. The more the paint evaporates, the thicker and darker the paint gets (may not be possible to spray if too thick).

Brush Application

• Dip the stiff brush, cloth or tissue into the rust paint and immediately dab onto the surface and keep dabbing the paint until the paint dries. A different rust effect is obtained depending on whether a stiff brush, cloth or tissue is used to apply the paint.
• Very light shades can be obtained by dabbing a very small quantity when it has slightly dried, similar to the “dry brushing” technique.

 Spray Application

• Spray rust paint onto a surface straight from the pot using an air brush or pressure pot spray gun.

Cloth/Tissue Application

• Pour on a cloth or tissue and dab onto a surface.