How to Paint HO Scale Bricks for a Chimney3 min read

Enhance your scale modeling skills with this detailed step-by-step tutorial on painting HO Scale (1:87) bricks for a chimney. Using basic, affordable craft paints and modeling pigments, you can create realistic brick colors with variations, perfect for replicating the look of older industrial structures. Follow along to achieve a convincing brick mortar effect with some light weathering, bringing your projects to life.

Materials Needed:

• Chimney casting (un-primed)
• X-acto knife
• Sandpaper
• Nicole’s craft paint in Brick Red
• Additional craft paints in various browns and tans
• Ammo MIG Modelling Pigment – Light Dust
• AK Interactive Asphalt Road Dirt
• Brushes for painting and weathering

Step 1: Preparing the Chimney Casting

1. Clean Up Casting Edges: Begin by cleaning up the edges of your un-primed chimney casting using an X-acto knife. Carefully trim any excess material to ensure smooth edges.
2. Sand the Ends: Next, use sandpaper to smooth the rough top and bottom of the chimney. This step is crucial for achieving a clean, professional finish.

Step 2: Applying the Base Coat

1. First Coat – Brick Red: Apply a base coat of Nicole’s craft paint in Brick Red. Ensure even coverage across the entire chimney, allowing the paint to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. You may need to add a thin second coat to the casting to completely cover the piece. 

Step 3: Adding Color Variations

1. Mixing Browns and Tans: To create realistic brick variations, mix in a few additional colors, including browns and tans. Lightly dab these colors onto the bricks, blending them with the base coat to achieve a natural, varied appearance.
2. Layering the Colors: Apply multiple thin layers of these colors, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. This technique helps to build depth and realism in the brickwork.

Step 4: Creating the Mortar Effect

1. Using Ammo MIG Modelling Pigment – Light Dust: For a realistic mortar effect, use Ammo MIG Modelling Pigment in Light Dust. Apply this pigment to the grooves between the bricks, mimicking the look of mortar.
2. Blending the Pigment: Gently blend the pigment into the brick surface, ensuring it settles into the grooves and creates a convincing mortar effect.

Step 5: Adding Weathering and Ageing

1. Applying AK Interactive Asphalt Road Dirt: To add an aged and used look, apply AK Interactive Asphalt Road Dirt to the chimney. Focus on areas where soot and dirt would naturally accumulate, such as the top and sides of the chimney.
2. Creating Streaks and Soot Marks: Use a brush to create streaks and soot marks, enhancing the weathered appearance of the chimney. Blend these marks for a natural, realistic look.

Step 6: Final Touches

1. Inspecting the Chimney: Once all the paints and pigments have dried, inspect the chimney for any touch-ups needed. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure a cohesive, realistic finish.

Conclusion

This is just one way to paint HO Scale (1:87) bricks for a chimney, using affordable craft paints and modeling pigments. These techniques not only enhance the realism of your scale models but also elevate your modeling skills. You may find another technique easier to follow or one that provides a different or more appropriate look for your layout.