Steampunk Pirate Gun Mod

Step 3 Aged metal technique

Using spray paint or model paint, cover entire gun with black paint.

Note: I personally prefer the model paint because to get the effect you want, you need to get the paint into every nook and cranny. Those darkened creases will be what makes the piece look aged. And in the process of painting it, you get to become familiar with the piece more, familiarizing yourself with all the relief areas on the gun.

Let the black basecoat dry for about 10 minutes. While you wait, wash your brush and put away your black paint. You shouldn't need it any more.*

Get out the Rub n' Buff in your color of choice. Gently daub your finger onto the end of the Rub n' Buff tube to get a very very little amount of the material on your fingertip. ***I want to emphasize this: very very little. If you squirt a dot onto your finger, you will get way too much onto your work, which will press into the creases and ruin the aged effect. So only the tiniest tiniest amount is needed.***

With very gentle strokes, start to brush your fingertips across the raised areas. Do it even lighter than you think, to avoid pressing any color into the creases. When you feel you have almost no metallic material left to distribute, rub the very last traces of it into any open areas between the raised areas. This will make it seem as it some of the metal is peeking through the aged grime (see closeup images).

When you finish an area, run your paper towel or rag vigorously over the metalic'd areas to buff off any excess.

If doing a large smooth area, like the barrel of the pewter gun, use an extra light touch and create long striations of metallic color, to emulate the texture of folded or cast metal. On a barrel, work from handle/stock to tip. Go back and spread in an even motion, lengthwise down the barrel. Add more Rub n' Buff as needed to get the amount of coverage you desire. Finish by buffing with a paper towel or rag to remove excess.

Let set for 10-15 minutes. Spray with two coats of matte or semi-matte acrylic to set.

• if you find that you put too much metal on any area, or get it where you didn't want it, crack open that black paint again, re-paint the area, let set, and re-gild. So there is no "mistake" you can't fix!