Heavy weathering reccommendations for fabric?

[niennumb1]

I just got my new coveralls in the mail for a costume I'm working on from the movie "Hot Rod". The coveralls I got look great, but they look extremely new (obviously).

What I'm looking for is a look like this:

It needs to basically look like it's been beat practically to sh^t.

Obviously one thing would be to wear it around and roll around the ground and stuff, but I was hoping maybe there was some better options out there that would work very well? Sandpaper in spots? suggestions to wear out the clothes entirely to more of a "worn 300 times" look?

Thanks in advance for your input. I appreciate it!

 

[MisriahArmory]

Well the trick of using a motocycle to rush into cars seems to work pretty well :lol

Well I cannot tell for clothes because I never did, but, good luck ^^

 

[Ramiel]

Hundreds of ways... Sandpaper works like a charm, same goes for a metal brush...
Drag it behind your car works as well, then, "real" wheatering can make a big difference... "Bury" it in the ground, leave it to the elements, etc...

But "wheater" it like it should be. I mean, see where it is wheathered and where is not, where are the "stress" points, and there add more wheatering, and so on...

It's a damn funny job!

 

[Rahl]

Exactly what Ramiel said.

Also, washing it multiple times will also break down the fibers and fade it a bit. Makes sandpapering and weathering it a lot easier.

A sanding block works really well.

 

[defyitall]

A slurry of a little bleach, water, and bleach abrasive (like Comet) can be rubbed into areas that get wear and/or sun like shoulders, elbows, and knees. It both weathers the fibers and bleaches them slightly. Just don't use too much bleach in the slurry so that it doesn't scorch the fabric. Good to try it on some scrap fabric and then water it down accordingly. Make sure you wet down the garment first so the bleaching doesn't end up with a hard edged line.

 

[Laffo]

The best way is to sit it in the Sun and wash it over and over with tons of fabric softener and less bleach. No amount of sanding and scrubbing looks like real fading. Sanding + real elements (gravity, washing, sun, dyes, dirt) is the way. 3 weeks in the Sun will do all kids of stuff to it. Throw it on the roof, let it sit flip it over. Don't wash it alone though, wash it with heavy items like old towels. Wear it and watch how it gets dirty. Go to the Thrift Store and look at how other ones wear out. It's cheap and incredibly easy.
This is from another thread:
"The most important thing that most Pirate or Action Costumes get wrong is the weathering of the costume and the dirt on the character themselves. Go change your oil or do some yard work in the costume a few times. Pay attention to how you look when you're dirty. Leave it outside for a few weeks. Get it wet and stuff the pockets with rocks. Sand the hems. Pay attention to where it would wear out. You can weather your character, but if it's not logical wear it looks false. The Costume was just started when they put it together for "Pirates." The bulk of the work is making it look authentic. That authenticity is cheap or free to come by. Buy some Fullers Earth and put it in an old sock and bang it all over yourself. "
Actually that coverall is really just faded and careworn with the lap sanded, so it shouldn't be hard to do. I can't stress what over use of fabric softener, bleach and Sun can do for you.

 

[Darth Mule]

Just be careful with the bleach. Bleach tends to orange dark colors when it works. Wash it alone in the wash with a tablespoon of bleach. A wash with Soda Ash is another good way to knock the pop out of a new clothes item. Throw it inthe dryer with some tennis balls or a pair of chuck taylors. This will help break the fabric in.