10- Add Details to your Nerf Gun

There are a couple ways to add detail. One is kind of like fingerpainting, and the other like watercoloring.

What you will learn in this step

• The two types of paint you can use to add detail
• How to make an acrylic wash
• How to use Rub ‘n Buff
• What parts of the blaster you can detail

What you need to get started

• Two contrasting colors of spray paint
• Your accent paint
• Good lighting

In the video above I discuss your options for detailing. The traditional way to age your blaster is to use a type of paint called Rub N Buff. It is fairly expensive, but does a great job at helping create authentic looks.

A cheaper alternative is to use a clear polyacrylic finish to mix with acyrlic paints. Acrylic paints are cheaper, and by mixing them with the polycrylic you can essentially duplicate Rub N Buff. Also, acrylic paints come in a lot of different colors, and are available at Amazon.

You can even experiment with polycrilic finishes too, as they come in gloss or satin. Mixing a gloss polycrilic with an acrylic paint will make it shinier, while satin will keep the paint neutral.

This video shows how to use Rub N Buff. It’s as simple as dabbing some on your finger, rubbing the spots you want to age, and then buffing it with a piece of cloth.

I used a lighter metallic buff to create work edges on the grill, and darker rub n buffs to bring out edges.

Detailing tips

• Use a small detail artists brush to paint on your details, including screw heads and levers, and inside the blast mark
• Use a metallic acryilic paint and metallic Rub ‘n’ Buff to apply any detail on the blaster you want to stand out.
• Darker colors in cracks help to bring out edges, and make your blaster look more 3-Dimensional
• Apply 2 light coats of paint to the details you want to accent
• A small detail brush or wider stiff bristle brush works well to apply Rub ‘n’ Buff if you want more control, or do not want to use your finger
• Use your finger or a rag to buff after applying
• Must you Oderless Mineral Sprits to thoroughly clean the burshes and your fingers (or you can wash with warm water and soap to clean most off your finger and brushes)
• Variety of colors and metallic finishes are available (we used Ebony, Spanish Copper, Pewter, and Gold Leaf)
• An angled artist brush works best to apply aging washes
• A small detail artist brush works best to apply Rub ‘n’ Buff
• Dry brush along edges and blend away brush strokes with your finger, paper towel, or rag
• Use a contrasting metallic Rub ‘n’ Buff on parts you want to stand out