They're Not All Shiny and Clean

There's a hustle and bustle in the yard as workers prepare the rotary show plow for the harsh winter ahead. While workers tend to the venerable machine, it's time to take a look at the vehicles surrounding it.

Utility trucks are as much a part of the scene as the trains, and for realism on a layout they need to look the part. The beige truck started life with a shiny new paint job, but after years of hard work she's looking pretty tired.

Here are a six quick steps to make it look well-worn:

1. Use masking tape or film to cover all of the window glazing.
2. Overspray the entire vehicle with a matte/dull spray clear coat to eliminate as much of the paint's shine as possible. An option is to leave the masking off the back cab window to simulate a dirty window. Let dry before proceeding.
3. Using a dry brush technique of dipping the tip of a dry brush in grimy earth or dust-colored paint, lightly apply the weathering color around the wheel wells and on the lower side of the front and rear, building up layers until your have your desired effect. Feel free to weather up the hubcaps/wheel hubs but use a lighter hand at this since their motion sometimes keeps them a little cleaner.
4. Using rust-colored chalk or powder pastels, dust the bumpers and edges of the wheel wells to simulate rust.
5. Overspray the entire model with another dull clear coat and let dry.
6. Remove window masking and you're done!