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SQUADRON COLORS WEATHERING SERIES
WASHES & PIGMENTS FOR REALISTIC SCALE MODEL WEATHERING
Painting establishes the color of a model.
Weathering helps tell its story.
A real aircraft, tank, ship, vehicle, locomotive, figure, or piece of equipment rarely remains perfectly clean and uniform. Dust settles. Dirt collects. Rain leaves streaks. Exhaust deposits build up. Rust forms. Oil and grime accumulate around mechanical areas. Sunlight and use alter the appearance of painted surfaces over time.
The Squadron Colors Weathering Series gives modelers the tools to recreate those effects in a controlled, believable way.
Our Weathering Series currently includes:
Squadron Colors Washes — acrylic washes designed to emphasize detail, create shadows, add grime, and bring depth to painted surfaces.
Squadron Colors Pigments — finely ground weathering powders designed to recreate dust, dirt, earth, soot, rust, exhaust, mud, staining, and other environmental effects.
Used separately or together, Washes and Pigments can transform a clean paint job into a model that looks like it has lived in the environment you're trying to recreate.
1. FROM WARPIGS TO SQUADRON COLORS
The pigment side of the Squadron Colors Weathering Series has a history of its own.
Before becoming Squadron Pigments, the products began as WARPIGS Weathering Pigments, created by Jeff Herne as part of Modeler's Warehouse.
The original WARPIGS concept grew from the long-established use of natural earth pigments by artists and modelers. Artist pigments have been used for centuries in paint, tonal washes, and dry applications, while modelers have used powders, pastels, and pigments for years to reproduce weathering, wear, corrosion, dust, and dirt.
Jeff's original pigment line was built around natural earth pigments sourced from the Luberon region of France, with the goal of giving modelers a simple, flexible material for recreating realistic environmental effects.
In January 2025, Squadron acquired the WARPIGS line along with Scale Colors.
WARPIGS was reintroduced as Squadron Pigments, becoming part of the growing Squadron Colors family.
The name changed.
The purpose did not.
GIVE MODELERS A SIMPLE, FLEXIBLE WAY TO CREATE REALISTIC WEATHERING EFFECTS.
2. WEATHERING IS ABOUT THE STORY
Before applying any wash or pigment, ask one question:
WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS SUBJECT?
Where did it operate?
Was the environment wet or dry?
Was it dusty, muddy, salty, oily, smoky, or clean?
Was it heavily used or carefully maintained?
Weathering works best when each effect has a reason to be there.
Natural weathering usually happens in layers. A dry day may leave dust. Rain may streak that dust. Heat and sunlight may then fade or alter the surface. Oil, exhaust, dirt, and wear build gradually over time.
Recreating that convincingly means building the effect in stages rather than applying one generic layer of “dirt.”
WEATHER THE SUBJECT — NOT JUST THE MODEL.
3. SQUADRON COLORS WASHES
ADD DEPTH. DEFINE DETAIL. CREATE GRIME.
Squadron Colors Washes are acrylic-based weathering washes designed to flow into recessed detail and around raised features.
Washes can help emphasize:
- Panel lines
- Rivets
- Bolts
- Hinges
- Grilles
- Engine details
- Cockpit details
- Armor plate seams
- Wheel and suspension detail
- Ship deck and superstructure detail
- Figure folds and recesses
- Mechanical shadows
A wash can also be used more broadly to create staining, accumulated grime, dirt, subtle streaking, and tonal variation.
4. WHAT DOES A WASH DO?
A wash is intentionally thin and fluid.
Rather than covering the surface like normal paint, it is designed to flow into low areas and around detail, where the darker or contrasting color creates artificial shadow and definition.
The trick is control.
Too little and the effect disappears.
Too much and the model can look outlined or cartoonish.
SUBTLETY USUALLY LOOKS MORE REALISTIC THAN MAXIMUM CONTRAST.
5. CHOOSING A WASH COLOR
Black is not automatically the correct wash for every model.
Consider the base color and the effect you're trying to create.
A dark brown may look more natural than black on many earth-tone or military finishes.
A grey wash can work well on lighter colors.
A darker version of the model's base color can create subtle definition without creating harsh contrast.
Rust, brown, tan, grey, and other colors can also create grime, staining, or environmental effects.
The best wash color is the one that supports the subject.
THE WASH SHOULD ENHANCE THE DETAIL — NOT BECOME THE DETAIL.
6. PIN WASH — TARGETED DETAIL
A pin wash is one of the most controlled ways to use a wash.
Rather than coating the entire model, apply the wash directly to recessed details.
STEP 1 — LOAD THE BRUSH
Use a fine brush and load it with a small amount of Squadron Colors Wash.
Avoid completely flooding the brush.
STEP 2 — TOUCH THE DETAIL
Touch the brush tip to:
- A panel line
- Rivet
- Bolt
- Recess
- Corner
- Mechanical joint
Capillary action will help pull the wash along the recessed detail.
STEP 3 — BUILD GRADUALLY
Allow the wash to flow naturally.
Add more only where necessary.
STEP 4 — CLEAN OR BLEND EXCESS
Because Squadron Colors Washes are acrylic-based, excess can be adjusted with an appropriately damp brush or swab while the wash is still workable.
Work carefully and avoid flooding the underlying finish.
A smooth surface generally allows a wash to flow more freely and makes excess easier to control than a rough matte surface.
7. OVERALL WASH — GENERAL WEATHERING
A wash does not have to be limited to individual panel lines.
For a dirtier or more worn appearance, a thin wash can be applied over a larger area.
Allow it to settle around details and in recesses, then remove or soften the excess from raised and flat areas.
This can create:
- General grime
- Dusty staining
- Dirty engine compartments
- Worn wheel wells
- Mechanical shadows
- Dirty armor surfaces
- Figure shading
- Ship deck and equipment definition
Work in manageable sections rather than covering the entire model at once.
8. SURFACE SHEEN & WASH BEHAVIOR
The finish underneath the wash affects how the wash behaves.
GLOSS OR SMOOTH SURFACE
A smoother surface encourages the wash to flow into recesses and makes excess easier to remove.
This is particularly useful when you want clean panel-line definition.
MATTE OR ROUGH SURFACE
A matte finish has microscopic surface texture.
That texture can grab and stain the wash, creating a broader dirty or dusty effect.
This can be useful when intentional — but it is less forgiving.
For maximum control, test the wash over the same type of surface finish used on your model before committing to a large area.
9. SQUADRON COLORS PIGMENTS
DUST. DIRT. RUST. SOOT. EARTH. ENVIRONMENT.
Squadron Colors Pigments are dry weathering powders designed to reproduce environmental effects that can be difficult to achieve convincingly with paint alone.
They are especially useful for creating:
- Dust
- Dirt
- Dry earth
- Mud
- Rust
- Soot
- Exhaust
- Gun residue
- Road grime
- Track and wheel deposits
- Rain and water staining
- Tonal variation
- Faded or dusty surfaces
Because dry pigments sit on or within the surface texture rather than forming a conventional paint film, they can produce an especially convincing dusty or earthy appearance.
10. CHOOSE PIGMENT COLORS WITH THE BASE COLOR IN MIND
Pigment color does not exist in isolation.
It interacts visually with the paint underneath it.
A light dust pigment may create strong contrast over dark red or green.
The same pigment may be much less obvious over a light tan or yellow finish.
Dark earth tones can become much more visible over light colors.
The key is balancing the pigment tone against both the base color of the model and the environment the subject represents.
CHOOSE THE COLOR FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE SUBJECT — NOT JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS GOOD IN THE JAR.
11. DRY PIGMENT APPLICATION
THE SIMPLEST PLACE TO START
Dry application is one of the easiest and most useful pigment techniques.
STEP 1 — LOAD A SOFT BRUSH
Pick up a small amount of pigment with a soft brush.
STEP 2 — REMOVE THE EXCESS
Tap or wipe away excess powder.
Start with less than you think you need.
STEP 3 — APPLY TO THE MODEL
Brush, stipple, or scrub the pigment gently onto the surface.
STEP 4 — BUILD GRADUALLY
Add additional layers until the effect reaches the desired intensity.
Dry pigments are excellent for:
- Dust on horizontal surfaces
- Road dust
- Dirt around wheels and tracks
- Exhaust staining
- Soot
- Light rust
- Faded areas
- Subtle tonal changes
START LIGHT.
Pigments are easy to add - removing an overdone effect can be more difficult.
12. USING PIGMENTS FOR TONAL VARIATION
Pigments do not have to represent literal dirt.
They can also alter the tone and reflectance of the underlying paint.
A lighter pigment blended into the center of a darker painted panel can subtly change the appearance of the panel without repainting it.
This can be useful for:
- Faded armor panels
- Aircraft fabric or painted panels
- Rail equipment
- Ships
- Figures
- Large monochrome surfaces
Use a soft brush and blend gradually.
THE EFFECT SHOULD LOOK LIKE VARIATION — NOT LIKE POWDER SITTING ON THE MODEL.
13. WET PIGMENT TECHNIQUES
Pigments can also be combined with an appropriate carrier or medium to create streaks, deposits, mud, and other concentrated effects.
Wet techniques are particularly useful for effects caused by water or for heavier material buildup.
ALWAYS TEST THE CARRIER FIRST.
Different thinners, mediums, binders, paints, and clear coats can react differently.
Test the complete combination before applying it to an important model.
14. RUST & EXHAUST STREAKS
A streak should have a reason to start somewhere.
Look for:
- Rivets
- Bolts
- Panel joints
- Drain points
- Exhaust outlets
- Hinges
- Damaged areas
- Exposed metal
- Mechanical openings
For realistic streaks:
- Establish the starting point.
- Apply a small amount of pigment.
- Pull the pigment in the direction gravity, airflow, or fluid movement would naturally carry it.
- Blend the edges.
- Build additional layers only if needed.
Different colors can suggest different effects:
- Orange/red-brown — fresher rust
- Dark brown — older rust or dirt
- Black — soot or gun residue
- Grey/brown — exhaust
- Tan/earth — dust or dried runoff
15. WATER & RAIN STREAKING
Water staining is usually subtle.
Real rain streaks are rarely thick opaque stripes.
They tend to slightly alter the color and sheen of the surface underneath.
For rain streaks:
- Use small amounts of pigment.
- Work vertically where gravity would carry water.
- Blend the streak into the surrounding surface.
- Vary length and intensity.
- Avoid making every streak identical.
Real weathering is irregular.
Your model should be too.
16. CREATING MUD
Pigments can be combined with acrylic mediums to create textured mud.
A basic approach:
FOR DRY OR CAKED MUD
Mix pigment with an acrylic gel or suitable modeling medium.
Apply the mixture to the desired areas.
Stipple it with an old brush for rough texture.
Allow it to dry.
FOR WETTER MUD
Use a darker pigment or paint layer over the dried mud texture.
Selective gloss can then be added to areas that should appear freshly wet.
Mud is especially effective around:
- Wheels
- Tracks
- Lower hulls
- Undersides
- Fenders
- Running gear
- Vehicle floors
- Terrain-contact areas
LOOK AT THE REAL THING.
Mud accumulates according to movement, gravity, wheel rotation, and terrain.
Random mud rarely looks as convincing as logically placed mud.
17. SHOULD PIGMENTS BE SEALED?
There is no single correct answer.
Leaving pigments unsealed can preserve the most natural dry, dusty appearance.
However, unsealed pigment is more vulnerable to handling and accidental removal.
Applying a clear coat can improve durability, but it may also:
- Darken the pigment
- Reduce the dusty effect
- Change the texture
- Reduce contrast
- Move or disturb loose pigment
IF YOU CHOOSE TO SEAL PIGMENTS
Use very light coats.
Use low air pressure.
Avoid flooding the surface.
Expect some reduction in intensity.
A good technique is to apply the pigment slightly stronger than the final effect you want, then test your clear coat on a sample piece before sealing the actual model.
18. WORKING IN LAYERS
Real weathering usually happens in layers.
A convincing weathering sequence might include:
Paint → Decals → Clear Finish → Wash → Pigments → Additional Streaking → Selective Final Weathering
Or:
Paint → Wash → Matte Finish → Dry Pigments
Or:
Paint → Pigment Mud → Dust → Wet Stains → Final Details
There is no universal sequence for every subject.
The important thing is to understand what each layer represents and how it interacts with the one underneath it.
DON'T TRY TO CREATE THE ENTIRE WEATHERING EFFECT IN ONE STEP.
Build it slowly.
Evaluate it.
Then decide whether the model actually needs more.
19. WASHES + PIGMENTS TOGETHER
Washes and Pigments are especially effective when used together.
A wash can first establish depth and shadow around recessed detail.
Pigments can then add environmental effects over the top.
For example:
TANK
Brown wash around bolts and suspension → dark earth pigment around tracks → lighter dust pigment over horizontal surfaces.
AIRCRAFT
Dark grey wash in control-surface recesses → brown/grey exhaust pigment → subtle dust around landing gear.
SHIP
Grey or brown wash around deck fittings → rust-colored pigments beneath drainage points → lighter deposits around heavily weathered areas.
FIGURE
Controlled wash in folds and recesses → pigments around boots, knees, elbows, or equipment to connect the figure visually to the environment.
The two products do different jobs.
WASHES DEFINE THE SURFACE.
PIGMENTS CONNECT THE MODEL TO ITS ENVIRONMENT.
20. DON'T OVER-WEATHER THE MODEL
More weathering does not automatically mean more realism.
One of the easiest mistakes is continuing simply because another effect can be added.
Study photographs of real subjects.
Pay attention to:
- Where dirt actually collects
- Which surfaces remain relatively clean
- Direction of airflow
- Gravity
- Crew movement
- Maintenance
- Heat
- Exhaust
- Water flow
- Sun exposure
- Operating environment
WEATHERING SHOULD SUPPORT THE MODEL — NOT OVERPOWER IT.
21. PRACTICE BEFORE USING A NEW TECHNIQUE
Weathering is highly personal.
Two modelers can use the same products and create completely different results.
Before trying a new technique on an important build, practice on:
- An old model
- A paint mule
- Scrap styrene
- Spare parts
- Plastic spoons
- Test panels
EXPERIMENTATION IS PART OF THE PROCESS.
22. QUICK REFERENCE — SQUADRON COLORS WASHES
PURPOSE
Panel lines → Recesses → Rivets → Shadows → Grime → Staining
APPLY
Use a fine brush → Touch wash to detail → Allow capillary action to work → Blend or remove excess while workable
SURFACE
Smooth/gloss surfaces = more controlled flow
Matte surfaces = more staining and broader weathering
COLOR
Choose a wash that complements the base color and environment
REMEMBER
A wash should create depth — not outline every detail like a drawing
23. QUICK REFERENCE — SQUADRON COLORS PIGMENTS
DRY APPLICATION
Soft brush → Small amount → Build gradually → Blend
WET APPLICATION
Combine with an appropriate tested carrier or medium → Apply selectively → Blend
USE FOR
Dust → Dirt → Mud → Rust → Soot → Exhaust → Streaking → Tonal variation
SEALING
Optional → Clear coats can reduce or alter the effect → Test first
REMEMBER
Start with less than you think you need.
24. CLEANUP
SQUADRON COLORS WASHES
Because Squadron Colors Washes are acrylic-based, clean brushes and tools promptly after use with water or an appropriate acrylic-cleaning product before the wash dries.
Do not allow wash residue to dry permanently in fine brushes.
SQUADRON COLORS PIGMENTS
Remove loose pigment from brushes and tools with a dry cloth, paper towel.
If pigments have been mixed with another medium, clean the tools according to the requirements of that medium.
Keep pigment containers closed when not in use to prevent contamination and accidental spills.
25. SAFETY
Squadron Colors Weathering products are intended for adult hobby use.
Avoid breathing pigment dust.
When working with dry pigments, use good ventilation and avoid creating unnecessary airborne dust.
Avoid unnecessary skin and eye contact.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke while working with pigments or washes.
Keep products away from children and pets.
If pigments are mixed with thinners, binders, mediums, or other products, follow the safety instructions for all products involved.
Squadron Colors Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available on our website.
FROM WARPIGS TO SQUADRON COLORS
The products may have a new name, but the philosophy behind them remains familiar:
Study the real world. Build weathering in layers. Experiment. And use the tools to tell the story of the model.
What began as WARPIGS Weathering Pigments has become part of the Squadron Colors family — joining our Acrylic and Lacquer systems to give modelers tools for the entire finishing process.
PAINT THE COLOR.
DEFINE THE DETAIL.
ADD THE ENVIRONMENT.
TELL THE STORY.
LEARN. EXPERIMENT. WEATHER.
There is no single correct way to weather a model.
Different subjects, environments, scales, materials, and modeling styles require different approaches.
Use these techniques as a starting point.
Study real-world references.
Experiment with combinations.
Develop your own methods.