wash

wash Washes...
One way to make your models look like they have been used for a while is to use a wash. A wash is simply thinned paint that is applied with a brush to the car. The thinned paint settles into the cracks and crevices just like dirt does. This is also used to add depth to a car. By making the cracks a dark color they appear deeper.
Below is a pic of how dirt and grime accumulates in the crevices.

(NEED TO ADD A PIC HERE)

How to:
To do a wash simply thin a paint about 1 part paint to 8 parts thinner. Apply it with a large brush in vertical strokes on the car. This will leave a streaking on the car, very similar to the real thing. If you don't like the streaked look, simply use an eraser at the end of a pencil to erase the thinned paint. I used this technique on the covered hopper below. It leaves a look that is very characteristic of a railroad car.

The white areas on the car depict spills. I will cover this technique in the "streaking" page.