[Pickle Munkey]

This is a bit of a double-whammy. I get to show off a new technique I've been experimenting with, and also show off some of what I've been working on lately.

Due to a lack of space and proper shelving in my place, I've taken to putting my figures in window sills, they're over a foot deep, so there's lots of room in there.
I had some of my US troops on display there for well over a year, and the sun wasn't very kind to their uniforms and gear, bleaching much of it to almost white.
To try and help combat this a bit, and give a bit of a grungier look to their gear, I opted to try using some woodstain, of all things.
Brushed on, let dry, and buffed with some sandpaper, and I quite liked the results.

Also, just for fun, here are some Germans I've been working on as well.

Here's a shot to help show off some of the white-washing I've been doing. I've also removed almost all of the liners and added my own straps to the helmets.

Just a quick little update, look forward to hearing what you guys think.

 

[Conan]

Awesome bunch of figures! :bravo:bravo:bravo

Perfect choice of heads! :thumb

 

[Pickle Munkey]

Hey Conan, thanks a lot man!

 

[Gebirgsjäger]

I've been meaning to ask about what others have done about faded uniforms. Interesting solution and very effective. I've been in the hobby for about ten years now and my early figures need their caps dyed. Might try a weak dye bath, nothing to lose. My figures have been displayed on shelves away from windows but the room tends to get the afternoon sun so it seems this is inevitable really. Thanks for sharing :applause

 

[vince]

I have the same problem with the Civil War figures made by Sideshow.
If the fade is just right, it is fine as all action (war) is outdoors anyway.
You have a nice set of figures!

 

[dadrab]

Wood stain, huh? That's a mighty good idea...makes me wish I'd thought of it. :lol

That a really fine looking group of figures, man. I'd have never known about the sun bleaching out the uniforms. They look that good and, to me, look to be weathered just right.

 

[Pickle Munkey]

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate it!
If you do use wood stain, make sure you've got good ventilation, haha. The material will get a little stiff as well, which can help take a buff from a bit of sandpaper quite nicely.

 

[fresh eddie fresh]

Those look great! A lot of my older Dragon figures are starting to look good with dust and fading... nature does the weathering!

 

[Pickle Munkey]

Hey Eddie, thanks!
The natural method can work, it just takes a lot longer, haha.

 

[rogerbee]

Fuller's Earth can be good for this sort of thing, if you spray fixer over it it stays on for ages. If it's good enough for Indy and Boris Karloff, it's good enough for us!

CHEERS!

 

[Pickle Munkey]

Hey Roger, thanks a lot for the tip, I remember finding out about Fuller's Earth but had forgotten about it, definitely something I'll check out though!

 

[pzrwest]

I agree with all of the above.... they look fantastically real.... what their uniforms and gear would look like in real life

 

[GregT]

great-looking bunch of figures!

 

[Pickle Munkey]

Thanks a lot guys

 

[onesixthpolice]

I think the biggest thing we should learn from this is to not display your figures in sunlight!

We've seen what the sun can do to the uniforms, so it's likely not going to be kind to the plastic parts (heads, hands, weapons, helmets, etc) either........

 

[rogerbee]

Here in the UK that's not something you have to frequently worry about!

CHEERS!

 

[rogerbee]

Hey Roger, thanks a lot for the tip, I remember finding out about Fuller's Earth but had forgotten about it, definitely something I'll check out though!

Todd's Movie Costumes was my source, one tub of his Movie Dirt should be all you'll ever need for 1/6.

CHEERS!

 

[Pickle Munkey]

I think the biggest thing we should learn from this is to not display your figures in sunlight!

We've seen what the sun can do to the uniforms, so it's likely not going to be kind to the plastic parts (heads, hands, weapons, helmets, etc) either........

Ordinarily I would say "Yeah well who are you, the one sixth police?!" But you are. :knock

Haha I agree though, the sun can be quite damaging over long periods of time, once I get into a better place I'll have safer display methods rigged up, that's for sure.

At least it keeps me out of trouble in the meantime, I suppose.

 

[onesixthpolice]

On the other hand, if the sun fading the uniforms was the only thing that forced you to upgrade the weathering, then we should thank the sun, because you did a remarkable job! :thumb

 

[Pickle Munkey]

Heh, thanks OSP, really appreciate it.