Thanx to all for their suggestions... yes I do think it a good idea to try it out before I mess the model up! And with the stains as well.
About the Dremel and wire brush: I think it WILL work, as after I posted my query I remember that when I started the build I had downloaded some topics. One was on "Ageing and weathering".
to quote a few points:
1)"Pre-Planning & Experimentation
When ageing and weathering, pre-planning is essential. You need to make the decision to age and weather before construction begins and it should be carefully thought out. To do this you'll need to experiment, but not on the boat!"
Agrees with your comments!
then it continues:
2)"Once you have the construction materials, experimentation can begin.
Take some
scraps that will not be used and
glue them onto a board. These test strips will be used to determine exactly how certain paints and stains adhere to woods, fibreglass or plastic etc."
That's a good idea.. you now have a rigid surface to experiment on.
As regards the Dremel and wire brush:
3)"Cut up several test strips of wood and run over them with a wire brush attached to a drill. This exposes the grain and helps give a used and worn look. The variance in texture and colour is what you're looking for, particularly in deck planking. Deeper grooves will stain darker than untouched areas. Start with a soft or medium wire brush"
And now for something I never even thought of:
4)"And finally
Aged pieces don't have sharp corners, so gently round them off.
Cabin and deck boards shrink with age. Give them a bit more space to create older character lines.
Do all your wire brushing before the boards are glued to the boat.
seasons greetings and best wishes to all.
I hope this extra infoadds to our knowledge base.
benni.
Built: HMS Victory
US
