Rust for weathering

I was sanding some rust off of a piece of steel today and ended up with about 2 or 3 tablespoons of rust. I was wondering if anyone uses real rust to mix with paint for weathering.

 

I don't use it but I know those who have. It is iron oxide (and variants, I presume), so it might conduct electricity. I would just use it on rolling stock and make sure it was sealed up. OTOH, you might use it on structures, too.

 

I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do for some Unitrack Viaduct that I bought to make it look real and when I saw all that rust piled up, it reminded me of the viaduct. I’m still learning about weathering.

 

I wouldn't use it at all on a layout. Try Using Rustall or Bragdon Powders as was mentioned above.

 

I just did a search for Bragdon Powders and that looks pretty good. I guess that’s what I’m going to do, thanks.

 

I had a bottle of decal sovent or softner that rusted around the cap. I used it while it was wet at lightly brushed it on a BN GP39M around the battery box and the trucks. When it dried it looked really good and was not overpowering. I wish I had a piture but I don't.
Keviin

 

Rustall or Bragdon:angel:

 

As PSG said, there are substitutes available for the real rust. Also, the color of the real stuff may not really be what you are looking for if you photograph your layout. Take some test shots and see if it is what you are looking for. I painted some rail a very nice lighter, realistic (to Me) rust color. I just started to lay it and luckily took some shots before glue. Too light. I repainted last night.

 

Vallejo makes some killer wash rust effects that come in different degrees of rust, light dark etc.
Water soluble oil paint works also with good results. Burnt Sienna is one color I use a lot of with my rolling stock weathering.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

In the 4 years since you made this thread things have probably rusted on their own.....

 

Yeah, I didn't notice how old this was till after I posted of course. Still good info if anybody cares or whatever...

 

You can use the larger rust flakes for gondola scrap loads, that looks good with a bit of a light wash over them, but I wouldn't use rust itself for weathering. Just cannot picture it looking good.

Edit: I didn't notice the date ether.

 

Apart from modelling N Scale I also model Armour and in that area, probably the most used rust pigments are those made by MIG Pigments.
They come in various flavours - Old/Standard/Ochre etc etc.
Personally these are the ones I've definitely found to be the most convincing.
They can be used wet or dry.

There are also similar pigments by A-K Interactive and Vallejo. Strangely, despite the heritage of the A-K product I don't find that they adhere on a matte surface quite as well as the MIG ones. Much the same comment about the Vallejo ones although they both seem popular enough.

There are also some Rust Washes from A-K Interactive which are good. eg Light Rust Washes (AK046), Rust Streaks (AK013)

The partially weathered Gons in the LBF thread are primarily done with the MIG products as are the Landmark & Garvey hoppers in the Railimages section.

There are a number of Tutorials on the Armour forums if interested. eg Armorama
Also the A-K Weathering Magazine Issue 1 is soley devoted to "Rust"