54 MODEL AVIATION
Rub ’n Buff is a waxy paste that, as its name implies, is rubbed on and then
buffed to give items an antique or well-used look. It’s perfect for a Scale model!
A light rub on painted William Brothers wheels makes
the spoke and lacing details show from several feet away.
Your Model’s Scale
Looks by Aaron Baldwick
Improve
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 10:13 AM Page 54
July 2010 55
Before Rub ’n Buff: This typical machine gun is painted black and
does not look too scale.
Right: The author’s detailed engine from another
angle after the Rub ’n Buff treatment—definitely a
more scale look.
Above: This shows highlights on the engine cylinders
and dummy exhaust pipe. You can also see the rocker
arms and return springs.
After Rub ’n Buff: The silver color gives the gun depth. Now the
edges and cooling slots appear in more detail.
Photos by the author
I was at the flying field with my new Fokker D.VII not too long ago,
and a fellow club member was giving the biplane a once-over. He
looked and looked, and finally came up to me.
“Okay, how did you do it?” he asked.
“Do what?” I replied.
After a few more minutes, he looked again and
then pointed at the nose of the model.
“How did you make your model look
so real and weathered?” he asked.
The aircraft was actually an
ARF that I had repainted.
“It looks so, so—scale,” he
said.
I told him that I would share
my secret but that he would have to
promise not to tell anyone how easy it
It’s easy to make details pop with Rub ’n Buff
You can see the whole
treatment on the removable
hatch and cockpit section of the author’s
Fokker. The improvement is noticeable.
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 11:49 AM Page 55
was to obtain the look I did on the D.VII.
My method of making the details and panel
lines on my scale models “pop” is to go over
them with a hobby and craft product called
Rub ’n Buff Metallic Finish. It is available
from AMACO (American Art Clay
Company).
This product is a waxy paste that is used to
give an antique look to craft items such as
picture frames and knickknack boxes. The
material is available in several colors, including
a silvery Pewter (item 76380A) that I use.
To apply the finish, I put a small amount of
Rub ’n Buff on a paper towel and lightly dab
my fingertip in it. I wipe my finger on the
paper towel to remove most of the substance,
56 MODEL AVIATION
and then I rub it over any surface of a model
that has edges and corners to which I want to
add depth.
With items that are painted black, such as
machine guns and engine cylinders, a quick
swipe of a finger instantly adds a degree of
weathering and wear that gives the parts a
used and real-life look. It also works on
painted parts, including engine cowls, that
have some molded-in details.
The real secret is to add only a bit. If you
apply too much, the effect doesn’t look right.
That’s okay, though. If you do put on too
large of an amount, go fly your airplane and
clean it afterward as you normally would. The
paste is temporary; it comes off with time.
I carry a tube of Rub ’n Buff in my field
box. For Scale competition, I examine my
model and add the paste to details or areas
where the appearance needs to be weathered.
Try it! Apply this product on any obvious
panel line or feature that would be subjected to
wear as a full-scale pilot entered and exited the
cockpit or where mechanics installed and
removed panels.
You might be amazed by how good Rub ’n
Buff makes your Scale airplanes look. MA
Aaron Baldwick
[email protected]
Sources:
AMACO
(800) 374-1600
www.amaco.com
Why Pay a Dollar
for just 4 Screws?
We have the hardware you need
at a fraction of retail!
Order today at:
www.rtlfasteners.com
or call 800-239-6010
800 Battlefield Blvd. South, Suite 109
Chesapeake, VA 23322
877.538.3268
!"#$%&'&!()*+
Visit our website for more specials!
Online ordering available.
*',-+.&&.*":-$/ -#$%&
!"-#$%&-'&!
$69.99
JetapultTM
Launching System
69 99
F-16
High End Technology
$134.99
VIPER
Sapac
$264.99
nd /
F9F COUGAR
RC Lander
$134.99
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 10:16 AM Page 56
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/07
Page Numbers: 54,55,56
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/07
Page Numbers: 54,55,56
54 MODEL AVIATION
Rub ’n Buff is a waxy paste that, as its name implies, is rubbed on and then
buffed to give items an antique or well-used look. It’s perfect for a Scale model!
A light rub on painted William Brothers wheels makes
the spoke and lacing details show from several feet away.
Your Model’s Scale
Looks by Aaron Baldwick
Improve
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 10:13 AM Page 54
July 2010 55
Before Rub ’n Buff: This typical machine gun is painted black and
does not look too scale.
Right: The author’s detailed engine from another
angle after the Rub ’n Buff treatment—definitely a
more scale look.
Above: This shows highlights on the engine cylinders
and dummy exhaust pipe. You can also see the rocker
arms and return springs.
After Rub ’n Buff: The silver color gives the gun depth. Now the
edges and cooling slots appear in more detail.
Photos by the author
I was at the flying field with my new Fokker D.VII not too long ago,
and a fellow club member was giving the biplane a once-over. He
looked and looked, and finally came up to me.
“Okay, how did you do it?” he asked.
“Do what?” I replied.
After a few more minutes, he looked again and
then pointed at the nose of the model.
“How did you make your model look
so real and weathered?” he asked.
The aircraft was actually an
ARF that I had repainted.
“It looks so, so—scale,” he
said.
I told him that I would share
my secret but that he would have to
promise not to tell anyone how easy it
It’s easy to make details pop with Rub ’n Buff
You can see the whole
treatment on the removable
hatch and cockpit section of the author’s
Fokker. The improvement is noticeable.
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 11:49 AM Page 55
was to obtain the look I did on the D.VII.
My method of making the details and panel
lines on my scale models “pop” is to go over
them with a hobby and craft product called
Rub ’n Buff Metallic Finish. It is available
from AMACO (American Art Clay
Company).
This product is a waxy paste that is used to
give an antique look to craft items such as
picture frames and knickknack boxes. The
material is available in several colors, including
a silvery Pewter (item 76380A) that I use.
To apply the finish, I put a small amount of
Rub ’n Buff on a paper towel and lightly dab
my fingertip in it. I wipe my finger on the
paper towel to remove most of the substance,
56 MODEL AVIATION
and then I rub it over any surface of a model
that has edges and corners to which I want to
add depth.
With items that are painted black, such as
machine guns and engine cylinders, a quick
swipe of a finger instantly adds a degree of
weathering and wear that gives the parts a
used and real-life look. It also works on
painted parts, including engine cowls, that
have some molded-in details.
The real secret is to add only a bit. If you
apply too much, the effect doesn’t look right.
That’s okay, though. If you do put on too
large of an amount, go fly your airplane and
clean it afterward as you normally would. The
paste is temporary; it comes off with time.
I carry a tube of Rub ’n Buff in my field
box. For Scale competition, I examine my
model and add the paste to details or areas
where the appearance needs to be weathered.
Try it! Apply this product on any obvious
panel line or feature that would be subjected to
wear as a full-scale pilot entered and exited the
cockpit or where mechanics installed and
removed panels.
You might be amazed by how good Rub ’n
Buff makes your Scale airplanes look. MA
Aaron Baldwick
[email protected]
Sources:
AMACO
(800) 374-1600
www.amaco.com
Why Pay a Dollar
for just 4 Screws?
We have the hardware you need
at a fraction of retail!
Order today at:
www.rtlfasteners.com
or call 800-239-6010
800 Battlefield Blvd. South, Suite 109
Chesapeake, VA 23322
877.538.3268
!"#$%&'&!()*+
Visit our website for more specials!
Online ordering available.
*',-+.&&.*":-$/ -#$%&
!"-#$%&-'&!
$69.99
JetapultTM
Launching System
69 99
F-16
High End Technology
$134.99
VIPER
Sapac
$264.99
nd /
F9F COUGAR
RC Lander
$134.99
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 10:16 AM Page 56
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/07
Page Numbers: 54,55,56
54 MODEL AVIATION
Rub ’n Buff is a waxy paste that, as its name implies, is rubbed on and then
buffed to give items an antique or well-used look. It’s perfect for a Scale model!
A light rub on painted William Brothers wheels makes
the spoke and lacing details show from several feet away.
Your Model’s Scale
Looks by Aaron Baldwick
Improve
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 10:13 AM Page 54
July 2010 55
Before Rub ’n Buff: This typical machine gun is painted black and
does not look too scale.
Right: The author’s detailed engine from another
angle after the Rub ’n Buff treatment—definitely a
more scale look.
Above: This shows highlights on the engine cylinders
and dummy exhaust pipe. You can also see the rocker
arms and return springs.
After Rub ’n Buff: The silver color gives the gun depth. Now the
edges and cooling slots appear in more detail.
Photos by the author
I was at the flying field with my new Fokker D.VII not too long ago,
and a fellow club member was giving the biplane a once-over. He
looked and looked, and finally came up to me.
“Okay, how did you do it?” he asked.
“Do what?” I replied.
After a few more minutes, he looked again and
then pointed at the nose of the model.
“How did you make your model look
so real and weathered?” he asked.
The aircraft was actually an
ARF that I had repainted.
“It looks so, so—scale,” he
said.
I told him that I would share
my secret but that he would have to
promise not to tell anyone how easy it
It’s easy to make details pop with Rub ’n Buff
You can see the whole
treatment on the removable
hatch and cockpit section of the author’s
Fokker. The improvement is noticeable.
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 11:49 AM Page 55
was to obtain the look I did on the D.VII.
My method of making the details and panel
lines on my scale models “pop” is to go over
them with a hobby and craft product called
Rub ’n Buff Metallic Finish. It is available
from AMACO (American Art Clay
Company).
This product is a waxy paste that is used to
give an antique look to craft items such as
picture frames and knickknack boxes. The
material is available in several colors, including
a silvery Pewter (item 76380A) that I use.
To apply the finish, I put a small amount of
Rub ’n Buff on a paper towel and lightly dab
my fingertip in it. I wipe my finger on the
paper towel to remove most of the substance,
56 MODEL AVIATION
and then I rub it over any surface of a model
that has edges and corners to which I want to
add depth.
With items that are painted black, such as
machine guns and engine cylinders, a quick
swipe of a finger instantly adds a degree of
weathering and wear that gives the parts a
used and real-life look. It also works on
painted parts, including engine cowls, that
have some molded-in details.
The real secret is to add only a bit. If you
apply too much, the effect doesn’t look right.
That’s okay, though. If you do put on too
large of an amount, go fly your airplane and
clean it afterward as you normally would. The
paste is temporary; it comes off with time.
I carry a tube of Rub ’n Buff in my field
box. For Scale competition, I examine my
model and add the paste to details or areas
where the appearance needs to be weathered.
Try it! Apply this product on any obvious
panel line or feature that would be subjected to
wear as a full-scale pilot entered and exited the
cockpit or where mechanics installed and
removed panels.
You might be amazed by how good Rub ’n
Buff makes your Scale airplanes look. MA
Aaron Baldwick
[email protected]
Sources:
AMACO
(800) 374-1600
www.amaco.com
Why Pay a Dollar
for just 4 Screws?
We have the hardware you need
at a fraction of retail!
Order today at:
www.rtlfasteners.com
or call 800-239-6010
800 Battlefield Blvd. South, Suite 109
Chesapeake, VA 23322
877.538.3268
!"#$%&'&!()*+
Visit our website for more specials!
Online ordering available.
*',-+.&&.*":-$/ -#$%&
!"-#$%&-'&!
$69.99
JetapultTM
Launching System
69 99
F-16
High End Technology
$134.99
VIPER
Sapac
$264.99
nd /
F9F COUGAR
RC Lander
$134.99
07sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 5/26/10 10:16 AM Page 56
