Weathering experts - need your help fading and aging a painted can

[ssdesigner]

Ok, this is pretty straight forward. I am trying to turn this:



Into this:




-Ss

 

[hypevince]

fireworks are your friend, just don't stand too close

 

[ssdesigner]

fireworks are your friend, just don't stand too close

I don't know what this means.

-Ss

 

[bookface]

If the can is steel, then ferric nitrate will give it a nice rust patina.

 

[ssdesigner]

Thanks book. The can is in fact steel

Any idea on how to fade the paint?

-Scott

 

[joberg]

As people have said before, fireworks will work and also sea salt in a spray bottle filled with water. Experiment with the level of salt vs water, but for that look, I'll say salt: 80% water 20%. Amonia and salt work wonder also.

 

[ssdesigner]

So the heat from the fireworks on the inside of the can fades the paint on the outside?

With no access to fireworks (or a place to fire them off) could I then use a heat gun?

-Ss

 

[hypevince]

no thefireworks create some darker brown/black marks on it, and makes it like it has been burned a bit, i don't know what it'll do to the outside

 

[bookface]

Is it a rare item? If it isn't, then I would experiment with different solvents and a heat gun to fade the paint on the outside. If it is rare, and therefore you're only going to get one shot at it, I have nothing to recommend for fading the paint as it's not something I've done before.

 

[franz bolo]

Weathering 101:

Do some white paint washes and then adjust the washes as needed. Then start using some weathering powders or oils paints for the rust and finish off with some airbrush effects.

 

[ahoudini]

I agree with Mr. Bolo, but would add that I would begin with a light sanding of the entire surface. A Harbor Freight sandblasting airbrush makes short work of this kind of job. Go slowly, either way!

 

[ssdesigner]

This can isn't white washed, it's sun faded. You can tell by looking at the areas that are white.

I apologize if this comes across as pompous, but rusting a can is fairly straight forward. I'm more specifically looking for a way to make a painted steel can look sun-faded.

-Ss

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

Leave it out in the sun.

 

[ssdesigner]

Leave it out in the sun.

Dude, no disrespect....but this is a 60 year old can,

I'd like to have this in my collection before I "collect my gorram social security"

-Ss

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

Then I'd try and experimenting with different ''fogged" sealants and then dry bush and add washes on top of that.

 

[MAAZ]

Buy this one it's already half way there

MOD EDIT: Please do not post Ebay links, thanks.

 

[auzorann]

i probably dont' know what i'm talking about here but could some intense UV lamps fade paint in a reasonable amount of time?

 

[Moviefreak]

I would take 400 grit sand paper or higher and gentle sand down the color. Then use steel wool to buff it to eliminate any sand paper marks. That should lighten it up and maybe show a little steel in places. That could benefit you when you rust it. I have even had great results just by buffing the paint with steel wool and no sand paper. It really knocked back the color of the paint well.
There are many formulas online to achieve the rusting.
I have soaked the metal and left out in the humidity overnight to start the process.
I have then soaked items in amonia, salt, lemon juice and vinegar and left it outside for a couple days and it rusted anywhere that the exposed metal was touched by the mixture.

 

[VilleLeskinen]

I've not tried this but could you fade it under a UV lamp? Just make sure you won't expose yourself to it.

 

[franz bolo]

This can isn't white washed, it's sun faded. You can tell by looking at the areas that are white.

White wash the can in layers. That's the way to make it look faded. It's obvious the original isn't white washed. Do you understand?