My method to making a mud effect

[Hotrod 97]

This is a walkthrough with pictures of how I make a mud effect. It sticks to the vehicle, but will flake off (obviously) if one is trying to rub it off.

You will need: Dirt, Tamiya body putty, flat tan paint (optional), water, a small container (to mix the mud concoction in), and a paintbrush (use one that’s ok to get body putty in the bristles).

 

I first sprayed a decent layer of primer on the part(s) that are getting muddy. I used white primer to show the difference between the two effects, but I recommend using tan or brown primer.

 

Then: mix the body putty, water, dirt, and paint (if desired) together. It should look something like this.

 

Here is about how it’ll look when applied.

 

To get a thick, dry mud effect as seen in the first two pictures below, I mixed about a dime-sized blob of body putty, a little less water than putty, an amount of dirt equal to the body putty and water, and about 5 drops of tan paint. To get a thinner, dirt-like effect as seen in the last two pictures below, I added more water, less dirt, and less paint.

 

To seal the applied mud, and help preserve it, I recommend spraying a light coat of dullcote over it.

 

There are many different ways to create a mud effect on a model vehicle, this is just my method.

I hope that this made sense, and I hope it helps!

[El Roberto]

Haven't tried it with body putty yet, but I will.   My method for armor models is to mix white glue (Elmer's), water, dirt or sand and whatever color acrylic paint looks right.  You can make it as thin or thick as you like and just blob it on with a old stiff brush.  Because of the white glue it dries with a shine like wet mud. 

[Hotrod 97]

47 minutes ago, El Roberto said:

Haven't tried it with body putty yet, but I will.   My method for armor models is to mix white glue (Elmer's), water, dirt or sand and whatever color acrylic paint looks right.  You can make it as thin or thick as you like and just blob it on with a old stiff brush.  Because of the white glue it dries with a shine like wet mud. 

Very interesting. I look forward to trying your technique sometime.

[Oldmopars]

You have to be careful with the scale size of the mud, but I have used this effect before too. I just use fine dirt from my yard (I live in the desert) and water and Elmers Clear glue. If I want to add different layers of color, I can add some paint to get variations of color in the layers.

This can work for anything from a heavy caked mud truck to light dirt on the side of a car that has not been washed in a while.

Now, if I could just find a way to Spray it on without totally ruining an air brush.

[Hotrod 97]

20 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

You have to be careful with the scale size of the mud, but I have used this effect before too. I just use fine dirt from my yard (I live in the desert) and water and Elmers Clear glue. If I want to add different layers of color, I can add some paint to get variations of color in the layers.

This can work for anything from a heavy caked mud truck to light dirt on the side of a car that has not been washed in a while.

Now, if I could just find a way to Spray it on without totally ruining an air brush.

Thank you for the info, Scott. I’ll have to try the Elmer’s Glue method sometime. I also didn’t know that there are deserts in Washington, so thank you for educating me 

[ChrisBcritter]

Great info, guys!

On 4/25/2019 at 6:37 PM, Oldmopars said:

Now, if I could just find a way to Spray it on without totally ruining an air brush.

Dunk an old toothbrush in the stuff and flick the bristles, maybe, or use an old spray bottle that you were going to toss out?

[Oldmopars]

On 4/26/2019 at 1:10 PM, Hotrod 97 said:

Thank you for the info, Scott. I’ll have to try the Elmer’s Glue method sometime. I also didn’t know that there are deserts in Washington, so thank you for educating me 

BTW, if you want a liittle shine to it so it looks wet, just add a little Future floor polish to it and when it dries, it will still be a little wet looking.

And Yes, we have desert here. Annual rain fall for my house is about 8in per year. So, very very dry. Humidity of less than 20% normally.

[Hotrod 97]

On 4/29/2019 at 12:07 PM, Oldmopars said:

BTW, if you want a liittle shine to it so it looks wet, just add a little Future floor polish to it and when it dries, it will still be a little wet looking.

And Yes, we have desert here. Annual rain fall for my house is about 8in per year. So, very very dry. Humidity of less than 20% normally.

Thank you for the tip, Scott. I’ll remember that.

Out your way sounds like an entirely different world from over here in South Central PA. Must be nice for painting outside... LOL

[MeatMan]

Great stuff guys! Thanks.

[bob29579]

Very cool idea.  Thanks.