I've received a lot of PM's about weathering the markers, such as how to, is is difficult, etc. Let's define "weathering" as:

"The change in appearance of paint caused by exposure to nature. The physical disintegration and chemical decomposition of materials on exposure to atmospheric agents."

Source: F1 technical glossary - F1technical.net

When a weapon (in this case, marker) sees a lot of use, the edges become worn from contact with hands, gloves and the envrironment. The constant rubbing eventually removes or degrades the surface exposing the metal underneath. If you'll look at the photos of the weapons our guys are using in Iraq, you'll see the effects of constant, hard use. That's the look we want to achieve.

in short, we're just going to speed up the process!

Step 1: Gather your materials. You'll need the subject (marker) and your supplies including, sanding blocks, fine grade sandpaper, ScotchBrite pad, paintbrush for removing dust and to use with the 3 In One oil you'll finish up with.



I've just begun to weather this marker so we'll use this tac light/laser aassembly for an example.



Step 2.[/b] Sanding blocks are just sponges overlaid with sandpaper. You can get them from a variety or sources like Home Depot or Lowe's. They are available in different grades as is sandpaper. Use a medium or fine grade on your marker.



Just lightly go over your market, hitting the high points. you just want to start to pick out the detail of what you are weathering. Remember, you're just speeding up the process.

Pick out the details. Here, they are just beginning to show.



Keep going, and you'll start to get this look:




Step 3: Use the paintbrush to remove the dust that you'll start to generate.



Step 4: Use the fine grade sandpaper to get to the areas you can't reach with the sanding block. Be gentle and don't overdo it!



Step 5: Looking good!



Step 6: The ScotchBrite pad will help smooth everything out. Use it heavily! This is what blends it all together.



Wipe it down with a damp cloth to help remove dust.



Step 7: When you have to look you want, complete it with a complete wipedown with 3 In One oil use the paint brush to spread it around getting in all the little nooks and crannies. Wipe the oil off with a cloth and use a QTip to get into the tight areas.



Step 8: Pat yourself on the back! You've just learned to weather!

Nauz, awsome post, as usual, the things you do with markers are sweet!
Also, can I get a pic of that marker you have, I'd like to see what kind of rail system you got on there, don't think I have seen that one in your arsenal before.

I've posted it before but here are the latest photos of it showing the rails. It's definitely different...

Awesome Nauz, thanks for getting this up.

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Owner of "Midnight" (Red items purchased from A5OG members):
A5MP5k-PDW With R/T| Polished Internals | JCS Red Hot Powertube w/Delrin Front Bolt | TechT Upgraded Cyclone - Vortex/Lightning/QEPH/Squishys | OpsGear MP5 Mag & Folding Stock | NCStar Red Dot sight w/ UMS raised rail | X7 Hopper / R5 Hopper | Palmer's Female Stabilizer w/Lapco mount | Lapco "Apex ready" Bigshot w/Apex tip | 8" Lapco BS w/ Suppressor Shroud| Flurry Emmissary Tactical Vest & Reaver Shinguards - camo'd |Crossfire 68/4500 HPA |Proto EL Olive Thermal Goggles
Other Markers - Spyder Imagine LED / ION

That looks really great.

Ok so i'm with you up until here. This part has me confused. Why put oil on it? isn't this just going to make your marker slick and gooey? I don't want my whole marker slippery. Is there something special about the 3 in 1 that it comes off easily? Do you have to reapply this oil if you use water to clean it?

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Owner of "Midnight" (Red items purchased from A5OG members):
A5MP5k-PDW With R/T| Polished Internals | JCS Red Hot Powertube w/Delrin Front Bolt | TechT Upgraded Cyclone - Vortex/Lightning/QEPH/Squishys | OpsGear MP5 Mag & Folding Stock | NCStar Red Dot sight w/ UMS raised rail | X7 Hopper / R5 Hopper | Palmer's Female Stabilizer w/Lapco mount | Lapco "Apex ready" Bigshot w/Apex tip | 8" Lapco BS w/ Suppressor Shroud| Flurry Emmissary Tactical Vest & Reaver Shinguards - camo'd |Crossfire 68/4500 HPA |Proto EL Olive Thermal Goggles
Other Markers - Spyder Imagine LED / ION

Well, you don't slop oil on your marker then just leave it there. Like a gun, you wipe it down with oil, then wipe the oil off. It just keeps it nice and clean and helps keep paint from sticking to the marker. It also keeps the overall look nice and uniform.

Like a real gun, you do have to keep wiping it down, if you want to keep it in tip top shape. take a look at these photos and you'll see what I mean by it giving a nice, look to the marker:

This are definetly great markers and great job on the "weathering" looks really neat.

Very cool!

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Ok so here goes my first attempt. I spent the last hour or so working on just my clip to see how it would turn out. Here's how it looks so far, including the materials i've used...



this shows it a little better, the camera's not the best.


It's taking a lot longer than i thought it would, so i guess i'll do it in shifts and get this done over the next week or so.

Although i had another thought...could you use the 3 in 1 oil on your marker internals as well, instead of the gold cup?? seems like its exactly the same, only infinitely cheaper.

__________________
Owner of "Midnight" (Red items purchased from A5OG members):
A5MP5k-PDW With R/T| Polished Internals | JCS Red Hot Powertube w/Delrin Front Bolt | TechT Upgraded Cyclone - Vortex/Lightning/QEPH/Squishys | OpsGear MP5 Mag & Folding Stock | NCStar Red Dot sight w/ UMS raised rail | X7 Hopper / R5 Hopper | Palmer's Female Stabilizer w/Lapco mount | Lapco "Apex ready" Bigshot w/Apex tip | 8" Lapco BS w/ Suppressor Shroud| Flurry Emmissary Tactical Vest & Reaver Shinguards - camo'd |Crossfire 68/4500 HPA |Proto EL Olive Thermal Goggles
Other Markers - Spyder Imagine LED / ION