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[Mendosherman]

I am embarking on a build of Mountfleet's Osprey Armed Trawler. The trawler has a steam winch made up of about 30 parts of white metal that needs aging and rusting. Can I have advice from anyone who knows a method to "age" white metal. All the suggestions I read are for ferrous metals or aluminum.

[Snowwolflair]

You cannot age white metal you can paint it though and then add rust.


Best rust is real rust!


Get some iron filings and put them in a very dilute solution of PVA and give them a day or so till the orange tinge starts then paint them on we're you would expect rust.  You then leave it to rust! Dampening extends the process until you are satisfied.  Once you are happy dry it bone dry with a hairdrier or similar (or sit next to a radiator for a few days in winter) then give it a coat of Matt poliurathine varnish.  The older the model gets the better the rust looks.  Don't be afraid to scrape or rub, just remember to re-seal.  You can even paint over to get that rusty blistering effect.

[Mendosherman]

Thanks for reply about white metal aging. Does the rusting/aging product for model railroading work as well?

[Snowwolflair]

If its the one I'm thinking about it does the SAMs thing.  I think it may have a quenching chemical to stop the rusting process, but it may only be a sealant to keep the air out like a varnish.  NB avoid gloss varnish better to use several layers of Matt.

[raflaunches]

I think there is a company called Deluxe who do a variety of weathering processes. One of them I think is called Scenic Rust, I know I bought some several years ago I've just got to find the box!
But from memory you coat the item you want to be rusty with one bottle of what looks like little sand particles then using another bottle of 'something'  you 'paint' the the sand particles and within seconds the rust starts appearing, it starts off green but the more you add the rustier coloured it becomes. I used it on my AFV kits to simulate a rusted exhaust pipe and manifold.
I'll look for it tomorrow when I get home.

[Liverbudgie2]

Why do you want to add "rust"? This was a piece of working machinery that was constantly lubricated and greased which spread all over the winch. You may want to replace the boat davits though, as these will distort very quickly. I have just replace mine with copper tube.
LB

[Mendosherman]

You are correct. that is why My original request was "how to AGE white metal." Not necessarily rust it.

[More Coffee]

You could use oil paints , either in a wash or directly.
Theres a bit of a guide on another forum ..it could be used here as well I guess, a lot of these dicast models are white metal, a zinc alloy.
 
http://forums.dhsdiecast.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=134354

[derekwarner]

An alternate to paints which essentially build up on the white metal surface & cover or loose crisp detail, consider a Black Patina chemical finish
Just Google it....plenty of reading...........the example shown below [25% nitric acid + >2% totals of nitrates containing copper, selenium & silver] will turn zinc based white metal's....grey black
Good luck.......Derek

[TailUK]

You could use oil paints , either in a wash or directly.
Theres a bit of a guide on another forum ..it could be used here as well I guess, a lot of these dicast models are white metal, a zinc alloy.
 
http://forums.dhsdiecast.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=134354

White metal parts in a modern kit are more likely to be some kind of Tin alloy.  Until fairly recently they would have had Lead in them but the powers that be decided that was too dangerous.  Diecast metals, such as Mazak or Zamak would be Zinc based most familiar as the metal Dinky Toys are made of. 
Modern white metal has more in common with Pewter than most other things.  I'd look around for a Pewter patination solution such as Jax or Novacan.

[raflaunches]

what you could also do after you have either patination or painted your white metal parts to add a bit of realism is use MIG productions Oil and Grease Stain Mixture available from www.migproductions.com
The only set back is that they recommend whatever you use it on is painted with acrylic paint for the best effects, AFV modellers use MIG pigments to add weathering, mud, oil and grease stains, rain/water marks and even snow effects!!!
For some brilliant weathering and aging effects try reading Tank Art Vol 1 and 2, the books inform the reader how to age model tanks but with a bit of modification I'm sure they could be used on model boats.