Help with painting char/soot details

[hermanjc]

Hello all. I recently finished building a new Falcon Heavy model. I want to add charring and soot on the boosters since that's how they typically look these days once they get recovered and reflown. I don't have an airbrush setup, so looking for any help on how to hand paint.

I plan to paint the landing legs and conduits solid black too.

Thanks in advance!

 

[pugachu]

I was told that Andy W. used a burning acetylene torch with the oxygen off (fuel rich) to put the burn marks on his massive X-wing rocket. That would probably be too coarse for something small like what you have. you may try eye shadow on a q-tip.

 

[David Schwantz]

Pastel pencils. You can just draw it on or you can grind it into a powder and rub on. I like the latter myself. Can be cleared after.

 

[Spitfire222]

Honestly, F9 boosters end up so sooty that they essentially appear painted black. Off the top of my head, I would try these methods (on scrap first to test, of course):
1. Paint the boosters~90% full coverage with black spray paint. Stop when you can still see patches of white. This will simulate a very re-flown rocket.
2. Mist black spray paint from further than usual distance you would use if painting it for full coverage. This should achieve a more "spackled" look.
3. Spray black paint into a paper towel, cloth, etc and carefully wipe on the areas you want "flight-proven".
4. Combine 2 and 3: light spray black on the rocket, and then use a towel/cloth to blend/smooth it more.

Good luck, and show us your results!

 

[David_Stack]

It may be too much area to do as shown in this video, but perhaps 'washes'?



(apologies may be warranted for the 'soundtrack' depending upon your musical tastes...)

 

[BABAR]

Outside the box, but might work. Try it on a test painted piece first

see posts 5 and 10

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/exo-skell-build-thread.36956/#post-354993

 

[lakeroadster]

FWIW: I've used a pencil to add such details. Write on the body tube, smudge that with your finger to get the desired look, then spray clear over it.

 

[James Duffy]

Pastel pencils. You can just draw it on or you can grind it into a powder and rub on. I like the latter myself. Can be cleared after.

+1 on pastel powder. You can get a set of grey pastel chalks from Hobby Lobby inexpensively. Grind those up with sandpaper, apply to the model with a soft, wide brush, and lock it all in place with a clear spray when you're satisfied. Be sure to practice on scrap material first!

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supp.../Pastels-Chalk/Gray-Tone-Chalk-Pastels/p/5552
I used this approach on my NCR X-Wing Fighter a quarter-century ago.

 

[sriegel]

I use black acrylic paint, thinned with water. Slop on very runny, wipe most off. Repeat to build up desired effect.

 

[Charles_McG]

Load it up with smoky motors and fix it to the launch rod/rail above the blast plate? The clear coat.

That's based on how sooty my booster stages get from a sustainer smoky sam if I don't get good separation before ignition.

 

[hermanjc]

Thank you for all the suggestions! I'll be sure to post the results of my attempt.

 

[Sandy H.]

Thank you for all the suggestions! I'll be sure to post the results of my attempt.

Adam Savage on the Tested youtube channel uses lots of techniques. I think you might enjoy watching some of those videos. As I recall, he even used coffee for antiquing a case for something. Pretty creative.