THE ARMY PAINTER: John Blanche Masterclass – Grim Rust (18mL)

Rust and Weathering for Miniatures

Grim Rust is intended for adding rusty color, staining, dirt, and weathered character to surfaces that should appear old, exposed, or poorly maintained.

It can be concentrated around recesses and damage or spread more broadly across terrain and basing when a dirtier, more atmospheric result is required.

Designed for Grimdark Painting

The John Blanche Masterclass collection supports expressive, gritty, gothic, and story-driven miniature painting.

Grim Rust helps break up clean surfaces and gives armor, machinery, weapons, terrain, and bases a more worn and narrative appearance.

Rust Staining on Metal

Apply Grim Rust around rivets, bolts, armor joints, vents, scratches, damaged edges, and recessed mechanical details where corrosion and moisture would naturally collect.

Thin applications can be pulled downward from these points to create rusty runoff and staining.

Weathering Armor and Weapons

Use Grim Rust on armor plates, shields, weapons, chains, mechanical components, vehicle parts, and exposed metal details.

Apply the effect selectively so the original metallic or painted surface remains visible beneath the weathering.

Muddy Bases and Lower-Model Weathering

Grim Rust can be heavily diluted and applied across muddy bases to add warm, dirty variation to an established brown foundation.

Bringing a small amount onto boots, feet, wheels, tracks, or lower armor helps visually connect the model to the ground beneath it.

Terrain, Ruins and Industrial Scenery

The effect works on pipes, machinery, metal flooring, ruins, doors, generators, storage tanks, wreckage, and other industrial terrain.

Concentrate it around joints, damaged areas, drainage points, seams, and places where standing moisture would naturally produce corrosion.

Layering Rust Effects

Grim Rust can be combined with darker or brighter rust-effect colors to create more varied corrosion.

Begin with darker weathering across the broad damaged area, place Grim Rust over selected sections, and reserve brighter orange rust for the smallest and freshest-looking marks.

Working with Dark Rust and Fresh Rust

Use a darker rust color to establish old corrosion and depth. Apply Grim Rust as a transitional rusty stain, then introduce a brighter fresh-rust effect only on selected areas.

Allowing portions of every layer to remain visible creates more natural color variation than covering the complete surface with one uniform rust tone.

Controlled Rust Streaks

Thin Grim Rust gradually and apply it below bolts, joints, scratches, panel gaps, and damaged edges.

Pull the paint in the direction that moisture would travel, then soften the end of the streak with a clean, lightly damp brush before it dries.

Stippling and Sponge Application

A worn brush or small piece of torn sponge can create irregular patches of corrosion across armor, vehicles, machinery, and terrain.

Remove most of the paint before touching the model and build the effect gradually. Uneven placement usually appears more natural than repeated marks of the same size and shape.

Glazing and Surface Discoloration

Grim Rust can be diluted into a thin glaze for broad rusty discoloration over metal, earth, stone, or painted surfaces.

Several light coats offer more control than one heavy application and allow the underlying detail and base color to remain visible.

Suggested Painting Uses

• Rust staining around rivets, bolts, and armor joints
• Weathered weapons, machinery, and vehicle parts
• Corroded industrial terrain, pipes, doors, and wreckage
• Muddy bases, dirty ground, and aged scenery
• Boots, feet, wheels, tracks, and lower-model weathering
• Rust streaks, runoff, discoloration, and grime
• Layered corrosion with Dark Rust and Fresh Rust effects
• Grimdark and John Blanche-inspired miniature painting

How to Use

• Shake the bottle thoroughly for approximately 30 seconds.
• Dispense a small amount to check that the paint is evenly mixed.
• Shake again for several seconds if separation remains visible.
• Apply the effect over a dry painted surface.
• Use it directly for stronger rust marks and concentrated staining.
• Add water or compatible acrylic medium gradually for thinner effects.
• Apply irregularly around damage, recesses, joints, and lower surfaces.
• Allow each layer to dry before adding further rust or weathering.

Building Rust Gradually

Start with less effect than you think you need. It is easier to add another application than to remove a large, uniform rust patch.

Keep some clean or lightly weathered surface visible so the strongest corrosion remains focused and believable.

Creating a Wet, Muddy Finish

Grim Rust can provide the dirty color variation on a muddy base, while a suitable varnish may be added after the paint has dried when a wet surface appearance is required.

Apply any varnish as a separate finishing stage and follow the instructions supplied with that varnish.

Recommended For

• John Blanche and grimdark-inspired miniature painting
• Rust, corrosion, staining, and dirty weathering
• Armor, weapons, machinery, vehicles, and metal details
• Muddy bases and lower-model weathering
• Industrial terrain, ruins, pipes, and wreckage
• Fantasy, science-fiction, historical, and gothic miniatures
• Tabletop armies, display figures, vehicles, and scenery
• Beginners and experienced miniature painters

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