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Opaque Ready Mixed Limescale Effect In 18ml Plastic Pot - (Code 49303)

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What is Limescale Effect

  • A Limescale Effect liquid for creating stains caused by calcium deposits due to leaking water.

  • Apply with a fine brush straight from the pot. When dry, Limescale Effect can be re-wetted using a damp or wet cotton bud, and made into finer lines or spread around to create a more translucent area of general staining. Can also be diluted with water before applying to a model for a more translucent effect.

  • Works on resin and plastic models, best on 00 gauge and above, but can be used with care on N gauge.

  • Opaque when undiluted, but becomes translucent when diluted with water. Covers dark surfaces.

  • Apply using a brush. Do not apply with an airbrush.

  • Water soluble. Wipe off using a damp cotton bud

Before Starting
Before starting, always practise using Limescale Effect first, even if it just on the corner or hidden part of a model. Alcohol in Limescale Effect can sometimes cause damage to some printed finishes and paintwork. A coat of matt varnish will help protect surfaces.

Will The Model Be Weathered?
Modelmates Weathering Liquid will permanently stain Limescale Effect. If you do not want to Limescale Effect to be stained, then there are two options:

  • Either apply Limescale Effect to the model first, apply a fine coat of Matt varnish to seal it, and then apply weathering liquid.

  • Or, weather the model first and apply a fine mist coat of Matt varnish spray over the top to seal it. Then apply Limescale Effect over the weathered surface. If the weathered surface has not been sealed, then Limescale Effect may absorb some of the Modelmates Weathering Liquid colour. This might not be a problem because Limescale Effect/calcium staining is often discoloured.

How To Apply
Shake the pot very well every time you use it, so that the ball bearing rattles for 20 to 30 seconds. It’s very, very important to shake or stir Limescale Effect before every application, even if it has been sitting unused for just 30 seconds. Limescale Effect dries fast. Do not leave the pot lid open otherwise Limescale Effect will dry out. Do not empty Limescale Effect into a different container or pot unless it is the same size and has a sealable lid.

Limescale Effect Liquid is white. Add a little Modelmates Weathering Liquid to get the shade you are after. A little Rusty Red makes Limescale Effect look a rusty colour and Mud Brown or Slate Grey makes it look dirty.

For prominent fine limes of calcium deposit, apply Limescale Effect undiluted straight from the pot using a fine brush. For more transparent lines, dilute Limescale effect with a small amount of water, perhaps 4 times Limescale Effect to 1 of water, mix together then apply using a fine brush. For transparent general calcium staining dilute Limescale effect with a little more water, perhaps equal amounts of Limescale Effect to water, then apply using a soft brush or cotton bud.

The effect can be made more transparent and a lighter shade even after it has been applied to a model and fully dried. Apply a slightly wet slightly wet brush or cotton bud to the Limescale Effect and it will re-dilute and become liquid again at which point more can be removed or let them run to make fainter stain marks.

A coat of Matt varnish will make the effect more permanent.

Practise first before using on a good quality model.

The image below is reproduced with the kind consent of Andy Small, from his lovely book "Weathered Steam Locomotives", (Book Law Publications).

Limescale or Water Staining


Examples of Limescale or Water Staining on a Steam Loco

 

Limescale or Water Staining Using Limescale Effect


Clean Loco. This loco has been used at exhibitions for weathering demonstrations and looks a little weathered. This is paintwork, so its best to matt varnish to protect the paintwork from the alcohol in the mixture. I will now try and copy the effect above.

Add a little Limescale Effect. I am using a cotton bud here. I tried a brush, but for this effect I found a cotton an easier method of applying the mixture. I added a very small amount of Mud Brown into the mixture to make it slightly less white. If you would like a more rusty limescale stain, then add some rusty red into the mixture.

This is the mixture dried onto the loco. It’s very white like this. I purposely made the mixture quite white because it can always be diluted with water before application. Being like this you paint finer more obvious stain lines, which I will do soon.

This is a close up of dry Limescale Effect. Still white, but this will change soon.

Its water soluble. Now smudge the dry or semi dry limescale using a damp cotton bud.

Turn the cotton bud often to get a clean surface to wipe with. Change the cotton bud often or squeeze the cootton bud between some tissue to clean it.

I have smudged and wiped off just about enough to match the effect above. I have left the effect like this for now, but I can go back and change it later f I wish. This is much better than the original white.

Close up view. I could wipe the mixture off the projections if I wish, but I am happy as it is.

Full view with Limescale staining due to leaking water. I also added a light coat on the front of the loco.

 

 

 

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