Weathering Processes

I am sure some others will chime in but I began my weathering adventure right here on the forum. Have your friend check out the scenic showcase and weekend photo fun threads. You could learn a lot from what the guys post. They are some of the best in the business. Next I would advise him to go out a take pictures of actual trains, buildings or vehicles he wants to weather. Advise him to take note of stuf like road grime, the color of the wheels and trucks, areas of water run off, rust etc. 

Some of the items in my weathering tool box include. sandpaper, oil and acrylic paints, paint pens, brown stamp pads, rit dye and alcohol mix,spray paint,  Bragdons weathering powders and Testors Dull cote. Notice no air brush. 

The biggest obstacle I see is that people are afraid of taking that inital step to do it. Tell him to start with something small and inexpensive not on a $1000.00 locomotive. The more he does it the more the more he will learn what techniques works for him. Here is three locomotives I did.

GEF - nice work! 

Here is a close-up of a flat car (actually old log dump car) carrying a scrapped hopper load.  The hopper was sprayed with Rustoleum Multi-Texture paint.  I believe I used the the "Rustic Umber" color and then hit a few spots with weathering powder.  For the car, I started with spots of Mars Black acrylic and then worked in some colors like burnt orange, raw sienna, raw umber, etc.

Another method I like to use is to paint the object with red primer and let it dry thoroughly.  Then I hit it with my topcoat color.  Before it really sets up, I take a piece of 220 grit sandpaper and wear away some of it to let the red show through.  The look can be enhanced with powders or acrylics.

Here is some" how to"  info on Lionel's blog

http://lionelllc.wordpress.com...thering-your-models/