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Charles King
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From Cashier Paper Roll to a Rusted Steel Coil

October 30, 2022 · in How-to · 22 · 0.9K

This little quick 'how-to', is for a future project I am planning a 1:24 scale diorama, which is going to involve some major scratch building and many detail objects. So stay tuned. If you know me than you know how I always like to find a cheap method of making things. It may not be the most perfect method, but the end results looks amazing. Within my own eyes, at least. 🙂

My methods used here are:

  1. A cashier paper roll

  2. I brushed a mixture of light, dark rust, white, black, and grey pigments until I was satisfied with how it looked.

  3. Then I took some oderless thinner and dabbed it on the entire roll covering every part of it. A tip is to not soak up the pigments too much. I went against this tip, only when I wanted a 'caked-up rusted' look, as in one of the photos. Let it dry.

  4. After the thinner had almost dried up completely, I sprayed on a dull coat on the entire surface.
    ...and Voila!

Reader reactions:
9  Awesome

3 additional images. Click to enlarge.


22 responses

  1. Wonderful technique, Charles!
    Thanks for sharing!

  2. Thanks for sharing this technique, Charles @tiking
    You clearly showed that it results in a very realistic looking coil of steel.

  3. Can't wait to see what your plans are for this Charles !

  4. The usual realistic work of Charles King on display...what's next?

  5. Impressive, Charles (@tiking). Looking forward to seeing what you will be using this on.

  6. A simple, cheap, and useful technique, thanks for sharing. I hate it when the check-out person runs out of till roll though.

  7. Very, very cool, Mr. King.

  8. That's so cool ... Inventive thinking !

    1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

  9. Dang you are creative!

  10. Absolutely FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing! I am definitely looking forward to the amazing diorama you are planning.

  11. @tiking Thats is totally amazing and SO COOL! Great work!

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