How to fade decals?

[Martimous]

Hey, I was wondering how people are getting that "faded" look when using decals on a model. Are they overspraying with a thin coat of the background color? Are they thinning the decal somehow?
Many thanks if someone knows the secret.

 

[FordPrefect]

Do you have an example you could share.

Also here is a video of Adam Savage doing a one day build where at the end he takes about aging his decals. Think it was expresso

One Day Builds: Adam Savage Makes a Blade Runner Blaster Carrying Case - Tested

It is at the end he talks about it but I would watch the whole video they did a good job.

 

[division 6]

Lot of guys over on Fine Scale forum over spray with the base color or in other cases tan or grey depending on the vehicle.

Some also achieve it when the weather with washes or pastels.

 

[lordneg]

I have seen fine grain sand paper used.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

I usually just do a light drybrush of the base colour.

 

[Martimous]

Thanks for the info and video link. This picture of a SW Falcon shows what I'm trying to get to. I think I'll experiment with some spares I have to get the feel of it. I hadn't thought about using sandpaper....
Is it the same thing to fade paint? I'm getting ready to start on RC Blockade Runner and wondering about the weathering...

 

[Kevin Gossett]

I found when applying decals to my Cap helmet, using a heat gun gave a nice effect

 

[Willswoosh]

I'm loving your displays! Thought into some sort of hulk display? CA, IM and Thor have helmets and a hammer to display. Would hulk be some sort of torn shirt or pants?

Sorry, question for Kevin.

 

[Martimous]

Willswoosh: Is the heat gun for smoothness and adhesion, or does it actually fade the decal somewhat?
Nice helmet display, btw.

 

[boonblade]

There's a fair few things that you can do:

• dust over with the base colour
• weather over with a white or light tan Tamiya pastel
• dust over with a light powder
• spray with matt lacquer and then dust over

I prefer to dust over with the base colour and then set about with different shades of weathering pastels to really set it off.cool:cool

 

[Dragoby]

Here's a whole Video where Adam Savage(asavage) shows weathering tips/tricks.

One Day Builds: Adam Savage Demonstrates Weathering Tricks - Tested

Hope It can help

 

[takevin]

As said, base color will be the best

 

[Kevin Gossett]

Willswoosh: Is the heat gun for smoothness and adhesion, or does it actually fade the decal somewhat?
Nice helmet display, btw.

Here is a better pic. It was pretty much an accidental discovery

 

[clancampbell]

Happy accident, looks great!

Rich

 

[Martimous]

Whoops, just noticed I called out the wrong guy for the helmet photo...Sorry Kevin. Anyway, thanks for the info; I hadn't thought about heat guns.