Best way to weather buildings (and eventually rolling stock and engines)?

"Seeking your recommendations for How-To videos on weathering steam locomotives" is a thread started a couple of hours ago.  It has a link to a youtube 1hr 20 min video which is interesting. 

John in Lansing, ILL

If you're concerned about resake

If you are concerned about resale, don't weather the buildings  (or cars and locomotives) for that matter.  

There are many different techniques for weathering, and the list is blessed with experts on all of them, so I'm sure this will end up being a long thread.

One technique for buildings that I think is under-appreciated is to pour a thin ink/alcohol mixture onto the model so that it drains down along the same paths that rainwater would in real life. Doing this several times with varying tones and volumes of liquid will produce highly-realistic effects without requiring the skill level of a professional painter. 

Matt:

There is no best way. Some like air brushing or rattle cans. Some like powders and others like stain. You should experiment and see what you are most comfortable with;.

Joe

Do yourself a favor , Order Dr.Ben's $3.00 booklet on weathering'.. Most of the techniques are from Thomas Yorke, one of the original masters of weathering.  This little booklet will answer many of your questions.  If you are interested in selling your items, some modelers will purchase rolling stock if weathered correctly.  I wouldn't weather structures.  But I also wouldn't put the cart before the horse... One step at a time.  I can tell you it takes a couple of years to really learn how to weather realistically .  "Pan Pastels "are very popular and work beautifully, if applied correctly.... Best of luck'...