This isn’t the usual action figure review. This is a look at a way to weather your figures without the fuss of paint. And it’s quick. And it’s easy. But I’m going to need practice.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s fairly easy to just open the Tamiya Weathering Master case and go. And I got some decent results after just messing with them for twenty minutes. But it’s going to need some fine-tuning, and an understanding of how to get the best results through some trial and error. Basically, this is how I feel with having no experience with these at all. A first impression, if you will. But I will be keeping at it.
Everyone knows I’m enamored by the Bandai Star Wars Model kits. And for the first few I wasn’t worried about paint or weathering. Darth Vader and the Stormtrooper looked good straight out of the box. As did C-3PO and, to an extent, R2-D2. But that R5-D4 just doesn’t look right without the desert wear. Or the speeder bike. Finally, the Sandtrooper and Boba Fett broke the Bantha’s back. I was going to have to find a quick and easy way to weather these things. As I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten busier. The quicker and easier, the better.
After a little research through the modeling communities, I found these.
Basically, these are slightly moist pastels. I’ve used pastels, and while they are useful for small, light applications, they aren’t that great at full-on weathering. The Tamiya Weathering Masters were made for specifically that purpose.
Three colors per case, with an applicator/brush. And you know what? It works surprisingly well. The color isn’t hard to apply at all. It doesn’t cover the base color exactly, it blends and tints. The heavier you go, the more it covers, so a little planning is required.
Take IG-88’s ax accessory. A nice metallic yet plain base color for the blade.
Just a couple of swipes across both the front and back edges and you get a subtle rust tint.
Since there was a color called “Snow,” I decided to put Hoth Luke under the sponge and see what could be done. Just swiping in a downward motion to simulate some kind of snow effect.
For the test figures, I only applied the weathering to the left (your right, looking at the pic) to show the difference it made.
Again, a subtle effect, but more so in the fact that it killed the factory plastic sheen. Not so much fallen-snow look. But it is whiter, so that’s something.
Next I grabbed a Black Series Boba Fett to try out the silver. I plan on doing this on the model kit who has replaced this figure on the shelf, so what better test subject. I put “Soot” on the leg to see what it would look like dirtied up, like he’s been doing repair work on Slave 1.
Not bad.
But the silver is where I really got excited. Where I could tell that this will work for model kits and action figure customizing.
You can’t even tell what is the factory silver and what is the Tamiya! Three swipes and a dab, done, boom.
Using my fantastical Photoshop skills, I’ll highlight which is which. Tamiya is boxed in red, factory paint in blue.
Finally, what got me started on this hunt in the first place, the Sandtrooper. This is a Black Series Stormtrooper, of which I have many, so I didn’t mind making one a test dummy. I used “Mud” as a base with “Sand” for highlights on the leg, and the opposite for above the belt. A little heavy in places, but not bad for 15 minutes worth of practice.
I also shot video of my first experience with these. A bit tedious because I can’t seem to speak coherently while also concentrating on moving my hands, but I thought I’d show it anyway.
First impression thoughts:
Next time I’ll probably base coat with Dullcote to give the weathering something more to stick to.
If you mess up, wipe off with a damp cloth.
To seal this on, I’m guessing it’s the same are using standard pastels. You have to kind of spray over the figure and let it drop down onto it. If you directly spray it will blow off the color. I handled these fairly roughly so it’s not a huge worry, but better safe than sorry.
I love the potential. Even with no experience, I was able to get some nice gradation and tints, along with awesome scuffs and dirt.
Yes, basically this is a quick and dirty dry brush, but with no brush clean up or paint or water. Open the case, slap it on, close the case.
Need. More. Practice.
I was able to get all six of these packs together on Amazon for less than $40. Not too shabby. Comparable in price to paint, but I was buying these for the convenience and easy factor. That alone was worth it to me.
I will post an update later when I finish weathering the various kits that need it. And after more practice.
