Once again we get a great technique - forever free!

Your talking my language - cheap, fast, easy, looks great. Even an all thumbs modeler like myself can do this. Great tip. Looks good on top of your building.

Now remove the article and submit it as a shorty, you may get some cash back.

Marc Fournier, Quebec

Very nicely done! I think a few of my buildings are going to get some new roofs! Thanks for posting.

So that's how it is done!!! Very Nice, my only problem here in the Maritimes is finding Black Primer. Hopefully I'll find some so wish me luck.

Richard,

You have done it again, that is making my job easier in the future!  You have done a great job imitating real life roofing in miniature.  The effect is "exactly" (once again) what I am looking to produce on the factory that is on our module.

Fantastic instructions and how to, once again well done on a fantastic modelling effort...

Cheers,

Jas...

Will have to give this a try as it seems a bit simpler than what I've done in the past.

I have done a similar rolled roofing method using newsprint. Use aerosol paint of green, red, brown, or black, from the auto parts store, or your favorite source. Paint a portion of the newsprint then cut into strips when dry. I used Aleen's Tacky Glue to install on the subroof material. A fine-tip, black Sharpie marker was used to add tar lines at the seams. A small amount of very fine dirt or Rottenstone is applied with a make-up brush. With just a bit on the roof, use your finger to streak it along the length of the rolled roof strips. It makes a slightly worn look and cuts the 'fresh' appearance of the paint.

Looks like the painters tape eliminates the Tacky glue application, plus it has a slight texture. Will try this on my next structure.

Eric

I'm glad others find this useful. I was trying to figure out  way to break up the monochromatic look of a single black/gray color after looking at the real thing and there is quite a bit of texture and color variation in the prototype. 

I think this process does a great job of creating the color variation and the dried light gray paint makes it look like it has texture.  I'm thinking once I apply some rooftop details I'll use some chalks for spot weathering that will add another texture layer to the surface. 

The only trick to this process is getting the lighter gray color to apply correctly.  The key is spraying it from the right distance to get that powered effect so it's worth testing it out on a scrap piece first however even if you get it wrong so long as the highlight color is applied light enough you will get good results.  And even that is reversible as you can go back over with the dark color again.  I like to think this technique is idiot proof.  Trust me, I'm living proof of that!

~rb 

Looks like the painters tape eliminates the Tacky glue application, plus it has a slight texture. Will try this on my next structure.

I forgot to mention that Eric.  You are exactly right.  It gives you the "not plastic" look that is so key in makinga believable model.  But I can't lay claim to that, Tom suggested using the tape in his article.

~rb

...posting this. It is going into my " tips and how to's" .

You might even go a little further and weather it some, very lightly, to bring out the seams of the roofing. (yeah I know, I am in my weathering week, lmao )