Lindberg 1/125 LSU Weathering Improvement

[tcoat]

This was probably the second model I did when I started back into the hobby almost 20 years ago. I believe it was also the very first kit I painted with an airbrush. It is a 1978 boxing of the classic kit original issued in 1955. I won in an EBay auction (back when EBay was mostly private sellers and auctioned things that could be won for decent prices) for $4 with $5 shipping. The box was pretty much rotted away, the instructions had been devoured by bugs, the decals were as brittle as spun glass and there were a couple of parts missing but this was a kit I built as a kid and the price was right. Sadly I have no pictures from back then.



Contrary to some of the box art and the D-Day reissues this is NOT a WW2 LST. The LSUs 1466s were built in the early '50s and although they may look like the LSTs they were larger and had greater range and capacity.

Unless it was an airshow there were never Zeros flying over LSUs



Now they don't even have the type right on the box!



Anybody that has seen my builds before may know that I ALWAYS give everything a coat of tinted Future to bring out detail, seal the paint and provide artificial shadows. Unfortunately Future is no longer made and the little bit I have left will be kept for clear parts so I needed an alternative. The internet told me that Rejuvenate was a suitable alternative. I picked some up a while ago and have used it in limited areas but since I am now out of tinted Future it was time to try it full scale. 


Before committing to a new build I wanted to practice on something old. Since I built the LSU before I had done any real weathering before I felt it was a good choice. I used way too much "rust" but I am not repainting so it is what it is.

The poor old thing has sat on a shelf for a couple of decades and has gathered quite the layer of dust!






 

[handiabled]

I'm interested to see how this turns out and what you think of the Rejuv vs Future.

[tcoat]

Nov 10, 2024 12:42:08 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I'm interested to see how this turns out and what you think of the Rejuv vs Future.

I have used it in limited areas but this will be the first large application. I know that it is no comparison at all for doing things such as canopies and windshield as it does not go on near as thick.

[tcoat]

Rinsed under the kitchen tap and reasonably clean now. What little residue is left to be worked into the weathering anyway.








The M46 is a bit over scale and probably closer to 1/100 than 1/125

[tcoat]

The tank and figure with a coat of tinted Rejuvenate. So far it works but ain't no Future. Still a huge improvement over nothing.

[tcoat]

The difference between the wash and original is subtle but effective. See how much better the chain on the left pops over the one base painted exactly the same on the right. The ridges in the ramp floor now show up.

[kyledehart5]

Very cool. Love this tactic. Need to try it out sometime myself. Some older gentlemen that I talk to have tried Quick Shine in lieu of Future and they like it. If it’s something you can get it may be worth another experiment. I picked some up and maybe I’ll try to tint it 

[tcoat]

Nov 12, 2024 5:59:43 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Very cool. Love this tactic. Need to try it out sometime myself. Some older gentlemen that I talk to have tried Quick Shine in lieu of Future and they like it. If it’s something you can get it may be worth another experiment. I picked some up and maybe I’ll try to tint it 

I will try it. Will do up a full review on the Rejuvenate tonight but the quick summary is that it does NOT work as a replacement for Future.

[handiabled]

Interesting.... I'll be looking for your thoughts on the Rejuve. It did appear to make the subtle detail stand out better.

kyledehart5, I still have a pretty decent supply of Future but I'll have to look into the Quick Shine as well.

[moparmadness]

That’s looks like a great kit considering it was originally released in 1955.

[tcoat]

Nov 13, 2024 14:34:23 GMT -5 moparmadness said:

That’s looks like a great kit considering it was originally released in 1955.

It actually is very nice. It could stand some detailing but the basics are all there and are at least reasonably accurate for a 50's LSU. The tank on the other hand is HORRID with it being considerably overscale for the boat and having something akin to a 20mm canon where the 50 cal should be.  If you look closely at the crew figures you will see that they are actually the U bot crew from the old Revel 1/125 cut away kit. The poor u-boot captain has been busted down to cleaning a gun instead of looking through his periscope.

Most of those old Lindberg ships were pretty decent for the era really. As they were all made to be motorized they did skimp a bit on detail and made what there is more robust than normal but still passable with a bit of work. I like them because I built almost all of the military ones as a kid so they are nostalgic. I have the minesweeper in the stash and will probably gran the LCI and LSD some day. They come out every few years so no hurry.

[tcoat]

OK so the verdict is:

The Rejuvenate does not replace Future but does have some good points.
First off it is more of a cleaner than a sealer like Future was so even though it does leave a finish behind it is much thinner.
Next up is that since it is thinner it does not leave a glossy finish so using as a decal prep isn't going to be as effective. On the plus side since it does not gloss up then a matt coat is not always going to be required.
It does self level pretty nice so can bring out highlights in even the slightest raised or sunken details. It does not darken the flat surface very much at all and is very easy to get even enough that there are no brush strokes visible (unless you want them of course)
The effect is much more subtle than tinted Future and it should be really nice on smaller scale figures were you want shadows but not to dark.
Overall not the same but still has a place in my weathering line up.
Now I need to try it on clear parts but am not optimistic that it will do the same work Future did.

The final result is very obvious in person and now the boat looks used and mildly abused but not beat on.

[dukemaddog]

I like it! Good review on the Rejuvenate. I'll look into that for possible use in the future...

[handiabled]

Interesting results. The wash did bring the detail out nicely. It being a not glossy finish I wonder what it will do with clear pieces as well.

[tcoat]

Nov 17, 2024 8:04:03 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Interesting results. The wash did bring the detail out nicely. It being a not glossy finish I wonder what it will do with clear pieces as well.

I will be trying that next. Nice part about these floor finishes is that if you don't like the result and bit of windex and it comes right off with no residue so experimenting is safe.

[brandonk]

That looks pretty good. Those are noticeable improvements.

[tcoat]

Nov 20, 2024 10:37:12 GMT -5 brandonk said:

That looks pretty good. Those are noticeable improvements.

It is subtle but certainly better. Now I need to do the same for a bunch more of my older stuff.

[lyle]

That looks really nice. The Rejuvenate seems like it is well suited for the job.

[kyledehart5]

Nicely done. Very nice review on the Rejuvenate too

[themongoose]

Great review tcoat! Looks like you get a flat finish and it blends the existing weathering together. Definitely worth the time you put into it. That side by side you showed really made me a believer.

[tcoat]

Nov 21, 2024 21:52:15 GMT -5 themongoose said:

Great review tcoat! Looks like you get a flat finish and it blends the existing weathering together. Definitely worth the time you put into it. That side by side you showed really made me a believer.

Thanks. It is effective even if not looking for heavy weathering since it can make panel lines and other details subtly show up without the high gloss of the Future.