Weathering Flight Suit

[Slave2112]

Does anyone have any walk-throughs of weathering their flight suit? I just got my gloves from Clothears, and they’re up against Arcady’s suit. The suit is a very clean light blue, and the gloves are obviously a lot darker.

I’d like to go for 501st approval, so I don’t want to over-do it (it’ll be easier to add more than have to remove what’s there). I’ve seen the reference files, but can’t seem to locate how weathered it really should be….and I know lighting can definitely be a factor.

Thanks!

 

[Eli Jinn]

Just about the best advice I can give is to go further than you think. Film era pictures of the suit tend to wash out the weathering due to the bright studio lights used, so the best bet is to pick a reference that looks about right and go darker than that.

 

[Eli Jinn]

Usually when someone weathers their flightsuit, they'll get a bunch of replies saying to go darker and very rarely has anyone taken it too far.

 

[BudaFett]

I've used Dirty Down to weather my flightsuit. Eli Jinn is correct that most people say to go darker to take into account studio lighting.

Personally, I did a medium light coat on the legs and then hit the rest of the flight suit with brown/nicotine/black.

 

[Mythosaur]

I personally have been literally throwing dirt on my suit, it's been getting progressively dirtier and dirtier. I also have given it some baths of a tea and coffee mix which is working pretty good. Need to do it more in fact, especially the legs, they are absolutely filthy!

 

[Slave2112]

Usually when someone weathers their flightsuit, they'll get a bunch of replies saying to go darker and very rarely has anyone taken it too far.

Thanks for the input. I've got an airbrush, and used an acryllic black and water to weather another costume, and I'm happy with the way it turned out. I see some tans/browns in the reference pics. Do you have any recommendations for paints to use?

 

[Slave2112]

I personally have been literally throwing dirt on my suit, it's been getting progressively dirtier and dirtier. I also have given it some baths of a tea and coffee mix which is working pretty good. Need to do it more in fact, especially the legs, they are absolutely filthy!

That's not a bad approach. What are your plans for washing after a (sweaty) troop?

 

[Mythosaur]

That's not a bad approach. What are your plans for washing after a (sweaty) troop?

I have been washing it between sessions, my whole idea was much like how a rag is stained from repeated use and washing. I also want to be able to wash it so it makes sense to me to do it to see if the color is staying in. Trust me, you'll want to wash it.

 

[Arkady]

That's not a bad approach. What are your plans for washing after a (sweaty)

You can always spritz it with some vodka. It's an old theater trick, the alcohol kills the germs that make it smell and then dissipates.

 

[Eli Jinn]

Thanks for the input. I've got an airbrush, and used an acryllic black and water to weather another costume, and I'm happy with the way it turned out. I see some tans/browns in the reference pics. Do you have any recommendations for paints to use?

I used cheap acrylics. There's no right or wrong colors for the weathering and nobody will ever know. I know a lot of people use Dirty Down too.

 

[Slave2112]

You can always spritz it with some vodka. It's an old theater trick, the alcohol kills the germs that make it smell and then dissipates.

For my hockey gear, I've used a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water to kill bacteria. It makes sense that I can continue with that.