Weathered new paint on purpose - how?

Know some good ways to paint something that comes out old and faded looking? I want to paint a number on a fuel tank that I'd like to look 50 years old without ruining the underlaying paint. I couldn't find a good example, but this should give you sort of an idea:

Wet sand it in random areas before you clear coat,find a flat/satin clear to help pull it off

wireman wrote: Wet sand it in random areas before you clear coat,find a flat/satin clear to help pull it off

+1

Not sure. but you might try applying silicone grease with a Qtip or small artist's brush where you want to create the faded areas before you paint. Let the paint dry thoroughly and wipe the grease off. Of course this will work better if you can spray stencil the numbers. haven't tried this personally, but I do know that silicone wont't let paint take hold.

if it were me I would go to a graphics place order the number I wanted and tell them not to weed
it when they weed it they take out the part positive or negetive tell them you want it in paint mask material they will know what you mean

when you get it take out the positive example the number 1 out of the center and use the negetive to cover the area you are painting mask off the entire area arount the paint mask
spray your number when its dry to touch but still soft use you fingernail to srape of a couple areas
pretty easy with soft paint then use some 80 grit just to scratch it dont use force lightly scratch it then lighty go over it with 800 grit til you get the effect and clear

I may try it myself on a future project seems pretty cool reference photos help

oh yeah dont remove you mask until you have it where you want it

another way is to spray on your color and use a stiff detail (or tooth) brush and run it through it while the paint is wet make sure your using a light color over a dark color of it wont give the right effect

another cool effect is to airbrush rust coming down from around it (I have just seen it still learning to do it)

The idea of retaining the mask while sanding or brushing is brilliant, ramtough! Simply excellent. I can even sand it down until it's really faded in places, yet still not affect the surrounding paint. I'll to so practice runs first before trying on the actual item.

Thanks

thats why i keep the positive in case i screw up I can cover what I just dis and touch up the surrounding area (learned that on you tube lol

Alot if depends on what kind of paint you plan on using, if you want a weathered look and dont care if it continues to deteriorate, i would just thin out and brush on some cheapo enamel. before it dries completely dab at it with a sponge or as ramtough recomended a toothbrush and some gas or mild solvent, then maybe some light sanding if you want. It shouldn't affect the clear if it is a quality urethane.

I also have had really good luck making paint look weathered by brushing on sodium hydroxide (lye), not sure how it will affect a urethane clear, I have only used it on rattle can jobs where i built up several layers of paint in different colors, no clear. This will definitely give you the "rat" look with all its peeling, crusty, glory.

if the tank is precious to you, i would recommend trying ANY solution you consider on something else before you go ahead and do it on the real thing. just my .02

More good tips, thank you