SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

How to distress plastic scale model leather or vinyl pleated seats

If your plastic scale model vehicle has that lived-in look, don’t forget the seats
RELATED TOPICS: SNAPSHOT | CARS | TRUCKS | HOW-TO | MODELING TOOLS
The weathering detail you apply to the outside should be reflected inside — unless you’re doing a restoration in progress starting with the interior, but who does that? This simple technique will allow you to simulate wear and tear on your leather and vinyl seats in minutes.
SNAP_008_01_ALT
You’ll need three tools: a small half round file, a razor saw, and a rotary tool. You could replace the rotary tool with a coarse sanding stick, but a rotary tool with low speed and a grinding bit does the job much faster.
SNAP_008_02
The rotary tool I used is a Dr. Heiz electric nail file. Intended for manicures, it is an excellent tool for scale modeling. It has variable speed, a few handy bits, and is reasonably priced.
SNAP_008_03
The kit part represents a factory-fresh seat, which would seem out of place for any model that is weathered, dumpy, or dilapidated.
SNAP_008_04
Grind away part of the bottom cushion with the rotary tool. Go slow and consider the wear pattern you want to model. I also scored the rear cushion a few times. Yes, it looks a bit rough.
SNAP_008_05
I cut new grooves into the bottom cushion with a razor saw to restore the pleated pattern. Then I widened the grooves with the file, smoothed the edges, and added some finer wrinkles for more texture.
SNAP_008_06_ALT
Even refined, it was still a bit of a mess. Instead of reaching for fine-grit sandpaper, I brushed on light coats of Tamiya Extra Thin liquid cement to melt the plastic dust and smooth edges.
SNAP_008_07
It only needed a couple of passes with cement while letting the part dry between coats, and that was it! Now you know a simple way to create a worn and more interesting texture on the seats of your used and abused model vehicle.
Download a version of the Snapshot above suitable for your printer or viewing offline anytime.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Read and share your comments on this article
COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

Want to leave a comment?

Only registered members of FineScale.com are allowed to leave comments. Registration is FREE and only takes a couple minutes.

Login or Register now.
0
FREE DOWNLOAD

FREE DOWNLOAD

Essential finishing techniques for scale modelers.
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.