Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Topic started by: ianjgow on 29 January 2016, 05:00:32 PM

Title: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: ianjgow on 29 January 2016, 05:00:32 PM
I need some black smoke markers for brewing up tanks & other WW2 vehicles
Has anyone got any tips for making (or buying) these? I have tried many variations without success, including:

Steeping cotton wool balls in black wash - just goes a bit dirty, fine for musket fire but not fot the oily mess needed for tanks.
Ditto with black dye - it dried to a powder which shed copiously, contact with water causing the shed powder to revert back to liquid dye.
Ditto with black food colouring - worse than black wash as it dries out almost completely gone.

Tried painting Javis foliage black - looked ok for  smoke from a Colonial steamer stack but not so good in larger amounts.

Ideally, I need to be able to place them on (or next to, at a pinch) destroyed vehicles.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

i
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: Fenton on 29 January 2016, 05:09:56 PM
A friend made a load  from cotten wool dipped in thinned down black oil paint

It was always known at the club as 'Death Dust' for a reason that now escapes me
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: Leman on 29 January 2016, 06:57:41 PM
I think you can actually buy black cotton wool, and also orange, but no idea where from.
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: toxicpixie on 29 January 2016, 07:31:55 PM
I have some black coloured cotton wool - it's very handy. I *think* I got it from Peter Pig but I've had it long enough I really can't remember for sure!
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: Leman on 29 January 2016, 07:50:25 PM
It's the sort of thing a company like Gale Force 9 might sell.
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: kipt on 29 January 2016, 08:38:08 PM
One of our group used steel wool; shaped and painted it looked great.
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: ianjgow on 29 January 2016, 08:39:19 PM
Quote from: Fenton on 29 January 2016, 05:09:56 PM
A friend made a load  from cotten wool dipped in thinned down black oil paint

It was always known at the club as 'Death Dust' for a reason that now escapes me

Probably because of the shedding noted earlier? Doesn't bode well......

i
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: ianjgow on 29 January 2016, 08:40:32 PM
Quote from: Leman on 29 January 2016, 06:57:41 PM
I think you can actually buy black cotton wool, and also orange, but no idea where from.

Searched a lot online for black cotton wool but no luck so far. If anyone can enlighten me, I'd be very happy.

i
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: ianjgow on 29 January 2016, 08:41:33 PM
Quote from: kipt on 29 January 2016, 08:38:08 PM
One of our group used steel wool; shaped and painted it looked great.

I'll look into that, cheers!

i
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: Sandinista on 29 January 2016, 08:43:01 PM
These look easy to do
http://philbancients.blogspot.co.nz/2011/01/markers-for-explosions-and.html (http://philbancients.blogspot.co.nz/2011/01/markers-for-explosions-and.html)

cheers
Ian
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: ianjgow on 29 January 2016, 08:44:25 PM
Quote from: Leman on 29 January 2016, 07:50:25 PM
It's the sort of thing a company like Gale Force 9 might sell.

Thanks. Looking for something more realistic though.

i
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: Ithoriel on 29 January 2016, 10:38:02 PM
Made some yonks ago with big bag of cheap wire wool, some steel washers, grey and black spray paint cans, orange hobby paint. Long since lost in move to new house :(

Pulled wire wool out to a shape I was happy with, glued base of wire shape to a washer, squooshed the whole thing with grey primer, sprayed black from above only to give grey lower and black upper, thin ring of orange around the bottom of the shape. Worked for me. 
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: Fenton on 29 January 2016, 10:41:38 PM
I have seen it done with woodland scenics tree flick on a metal frame then painted etc
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: Ithoriel on 29 January 2016, 10:46:39 PM
There's always this

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/151599976/15cm-100-wool-felt-balls-100-count?ref=related-0


(https://img0.etsystatic.com/030/0/5263927/il_570xN.546146298_tdy3.jpg)(https://madeitsyd.blob.core.windows.net/2015-10-08/4_475960f1657549abab765db83696413cColour%20board_a.jpg)

Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: petercooman on 29 January 2016, 11:15:28 PM
http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=500

Looks good!
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: John Cook on 07 February 2016, 12:42:01 AM
I use polyester stuffing.  http://www.worldofwool.co.uk/products/69/fibre_fill_and_wadding/polyester_staple_fibre_fill.htm.
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: paulr on 07 February 2016, 03:48:44 AM
I use it in white for musket smoke, artillery delivered smoke and smoke laid by warships.

I didn't know you could get it in black :-\
Title: Re: Black Smoke Markers
Post by: Chris Pringle on 07 February 2016, 09:05:11 AM
And for another option, "wool roving":
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/sewing-and-knitting/needle-felting/wool-roving

Chris