some tips to weather costumes

[seth1452]

how would evryone recommend weathering the pads and shin guards and the clothing in general? i have thought about scraping it on some concrete for a road rash effect but any tips would be very well apreciated....and also how much has anyone spent on making a whole set of "armor"

[DetritusMaximus]

Step 1: Buy an old dryer.


Step 2: Buy a bunch of rocks, about 2" in dia.


Step 3: Load dryer with rocks and selected 'items'.


Step 4: Insert ear plugs.


Step 5: Run dryer until acceptable 'weathering' is achieved.





TA-DAA!

[Redd4]

Kind of taking a cue from your comment about scraping it on concrete--tie the things you want to weather to the back of your vehicle and find an empty lot somewhere. Maybe an industrial area, and go out on a Sunday afternoon...although be sure there's nothing they'll catch on and tear all to hell.

[seth1452]

thanks i thought of dragging behind a car on a dirt road as well.....heh but ill give some of these things a shot

[akinney]

Well, I personally wouldn't take something I worked really hard to replicate (and possibly a lot of money) and drag it behind a car - you never know what kind of rip, tears or unwanted scratches you are going to create. Go to some of the Star Wars sites and check out their tips on battle wearing. I think that these are the best:





1. strip or fade things with Acetone or rubbing alcohol


2. fade and weather leather, etc... with extra-fine sandpaper (my favorite)





3. fade fabric using a small amount of bleach in water (you can also soak in lemon juice and put in the sun - hasn't worked great for me but less chance of destroying the fabric)





4. put drops of rubber cement on somthing that is going to be painted or dyed and they will mask the area. pull them off when the paint is dry and it gives the appearance of chipped paint.





5. use a nail file to weather the edges of fabric/leather





6. create a "dirty water" with paint or mud mixed with water. Then apply it with a sponge or rag or whatever - let it dry or use a blow dryer to assist. Playing with combinations of dirt/paint color and application/drying give a ton of different looks.





hope that helps.

[Suede]

just a tip from someone whos done a bit of leather "antiquing" use fine sand, "play sand" and do some mild sandblasting. I aged the leather straps on my vw dunebuggy that way and it came out quite nice, though it was natural colored and not dyed leather.