G-Man Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 I picked up the AK Exhaust Stains Weathering Set some time ago, but I am unsure how to use the pigments. The set comes with a dark brown wash and three different colored pigments. I also have bottles of AK Pigment Fixer and AK White Spirit. There are no directions and I have been unable to find a tutorial online. I just want to put black smoky exhaust trails on my model. How do I create that with this set? Or am I better off airbrushing the trails on with flat black paint? Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Pigments can be different to use. Generally you need something like this: The pigment fixer can be used in a multitude of ways, including spraying or brushing it OVER the pigments to get a certain type of effect, OR as I do, you can brush or spray the fixer on UNDER the pigment and sprinkle the pigment on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Generally pigments are not used for exhaust stains of the type you are looking to do. Mostly pigments are for raising or changing the texture of something to make it stand out. You can also add the pigments to paint to change tone, or add them to other weathering products such as washes. You can create black smoky trails with an airbrush and some Tamiya smoke, or the like, but keep in mind the Smoke is glossy, so a flat coat is usually needed. If you dont want to airbrush the exhaust stains, I have also had great luck with Tamiyas "Weathering Pallets" for exhaust stains too: They are effectivly a modeling "make up case" for weathering, and come in a vast array of 3 section pallets.These are excellent for exhaust stains IMHO, as you can use the makeup style brushes to add nice looking exhaust streaks, and if you dont like them you can wipe them off with alcohol. You can also airbrush OVER the streaks made by the weathering pallets to get a typical two tone look as well. I would do some experimenting to see what kind of look you like. HTH G-Man 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Man Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 I have not seen the Tamiya set before, interesting. Amazon has all the sets for $40 with Prime shipping, which isn't bad really. I may have to go the airbrush route, using light coats of Mr Color flat black until it looks right. I'll just have to practice a bit beforehand as my precision airbrush skills are not totally there yet. Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 I have not seen the Tamiya set before, interesting. Amazon has all the sets for $40 with Prime shipping, which isn't bad really. I may have to go the airbrush route, using light coats of Mr Color flat black until it looks right. I'll just have to practice a bit beforehand as my precision airbrush skills are not totally there yet. Indeed. The thing about the pigments is they can appear quite thick if laid on over the fixer, and usually exhaust stains are more streaky, but not very prominent as far as thickness or texture. Zero77 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 (edited) I use them all the time, for using pigment you heap it on where you want it then add the fixer and it will wick through it to hold it fast, the others are washes, and you add them amd they will wick around objects etc, I will link you to some guides., Ok AK video guides are here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK0GcediTfRsVsedEpJkr8w Downloadable and readable guides for their range of products and some helpful how to guides are here https://ak-interactive.com/downloads/ Mig step by step guides here http://www.migjimenez.com/en/content/10-ammo-step-by-step Edited November 7, 2017 by TonyT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 (edited) This shows exhaust http://www.ak-masters.com/app/pdf/AK%20039%20BLACK%20PIGMENT.pdf from the Beau one http://www.ak-masters.com/app/tut/BEAUFIGHTER.pdf I seal my pigments with a Humbrol matt varnish rattle can btw, then add any of the oil i need over it Edited November 7, 2017 by TonyT G-Man 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Man Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 This shows exhaust http://www.ak-masters.com/app/pdf/AK%20039%20BLACK%20PIGMENT.pdf So if I'm understanding this right, I dry brush the pigments on, which can be smeared into a cloudy effect? And then seal them with white spirit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 (edited) yes you can, or the pigment fixer I seal mine with matt varnish, they will fade a bit when you do it. Try doing it on a bit of scrap plasic, the washes can be added, let wick around where you want them or paint on as streaks, let them dry then use a lightly wet brush of white spirit to draw them out, drag them down etc and blend in. Edited November 7, 2017 by TonyT G-Man 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Man Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 yes you can, or the pigment fixer I seal mine with matt varnish, they will fade a bit when you do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2bdNr-SRb4 Try doing it on a bit of scrap plasic, the washes can be added, let wick around where you want them or paint on as streaks, let them dry then use a lightly wet brush of white spirit to draw them out, drag them down etc and blend in. Do I apply the pigments onto a gloss or flat coat? Also, is there any difference between the fixer and the white spirit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero77 Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 I usually paint my smoke trails with very thinned (about 5 or 10% paint for 90/95% alcohol) brown or/and black flat acrylic paint. So you can adjust what you want and build up the trail as you want. For example you can spray a first light coat of brown, and then intensify it just aft the exhaust with black or a darker brown. Almost every aircraft have different pattern of smoke stain, so it's up to you. Adding some pigments can also help to get interesting effects, but making smoke trails only with pigments may indeed be a bit difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 (edited) Do I apply the pigments onto a gloss or flat coat? Also, is there any difference between the fixer and the white spirit? Not sure, when I do my tanks I do it onto the matt paint, I think you will find the white spirit is more to subtly blend the washes or pigment, the fixer I use when applying muds and soil or heavy pigment applications.etc. This is the mud applied heavy , it is a combination of Mig mud that is ready mixed and also AK mud pigments, This shows the mud pigments colours added behind the wheels and fixed with the fixer Edited November 7, 2017 by TonyT CATCplSlade and G-Man 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero77 Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 (edited) Not sure that the pigment would stick on a glossy finish (except if fixed with a coat of clear coat). A matt finish holds the pigments nicely, if you just brush them in a very thin coat, you almost dont have to use any fixer. But if so, just avoid to touch the surface as you can do a nice fingerprint. (even if you used some fixer, though). If you sprayed a clear coat, that's ok. Edited November 7, 2017 by Zero77 G-Man 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Man Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 Not sure that the pigment would stick on a glossy finish (except if fixed with a coat of clear coat). A matt finish holds the pigments nicely, if you just brush them in a very thin coat, you almost dont have to use any fixer. But if so, just avoid to touch the surface as you can do a nice fingerprint. (even if you used some fixer, though). If you sprayed a clear coat, that's ok. Ok, I think I'll apply them after I seal my washes with flat clear. Then seal the pigments with another coat of flat clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CATCplSlade Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Bear in mind though the sealer might darken the pigments. Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now