Non evasive weathering help needed

[Ty]

Hello. I've decided against 'chroming' my t-800 endoskeleton skull because I think it would look better beaten and damaged but what I need is some advice on how I would go about creating realistic bullet hit marks. A way that does not involve cutting holes or breaking the vinyl in any way. I also want to add 'scratches' and general wear effects but as I said, without physically damaging the model. What would be the best or a good method of achieving such effects? I hope someone can help... Thank you!

[tonyG2]

Paint. Or paint and pastels.

Paint a circle of a darker shade of whatever metallic you use to paint the skull. That represents shadowing of an indentation of the bullet impact.

In the middle paint a black circle for your bullet hole.

Get some pastels (grey, black, dark brown etc) or failing that some charcoal. Grind to a powder. Mix to a dark grey colour.

Dip a finger in and dab onto the "bullet hole" in a fairly random pattern, working out onto the painted depression and then over onto the main skull.

When happy with result - spray with sealent.

Suggest you practice on a bit of painted styrene sheet to see if the effect is what you want.

Could use an airbrush but more risk of overspray if it goes wrong.

[Ty]

Thanks for that tony, I'll give that a shot. Had the idea or buying a set of bullet hit transfers, tracing the hit and then apply the outline to the skull with carbon paper which can then be filled in with the charcoal or pastel powder. All I need now is to remember where I saw the transfers. Thanks for the reply!

[tonyG2]

This is a long shot but try some car parts places. The ones that sell customizing colour stripes.

I have a vague memory of seeing bullet hole stickers to apply to your car window.

Anyway worth a shot if you pardon the pun.

[Ty]

Ah yeah... I think they may have been in Halfords or somewhere like that, I'll have a look around. I could probably do the same thing when it comes to simulating scratches unless there's a better way of creating a tarnished look.

[Bar]

Dry-brushing is always good for tarnished metal effects.