AK Interactive Weathering Pigments for Dust, Rust, Earth and Soot
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Ultra-Fine Powder Texture – Ground to a small particle size for smooth blending into panel lines, around rivets, across track links, and on detailed model surfaces without visible grain at scale.
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Dry, Wet, or Fixed Application – Brush on loose for soft dusty effects, place with white spirit for controlled positioning, or bond permanently with AK Pigment Fixer when the finish needs to survive handling.
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Fully Intermixable Colors – All colors blend freely on a palette or directly on the model. Real terrain is never one uniform tone, so mixing two or three shades produces more convincing results than any single jar.
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Pairs with the AK Weathering System – Layer over cured streaking grime, dust effects, and enamel washes. The textured finish adds surface depth that liquid weathering products alone cannot replicate.
📝 Product Description
AK Interactive Weathering Pigments are ultra-fine mineral powders that simulate the dust, rust, earth, soot, and metal residue found on real vehicles, structures, and terrain. They sit on the model as loose particles, creating a textured matte finish that reads as genuine grime rather than painted-on color.
The 20-color range covers four weathering categories: earth tones for ground-contact soil and road film (Light Dust, North Africa Dust, European Earth, Vietnam Earth, Middle East Soil, Sienna Soil, City Dirt, Asphalt Road Dirt), rust tones for corrosion and oxidation (Medium Rust, Light Rust, Track Rust, Burnt Rust Red, Dark Rust, Ochre Rust), dark tones for exhaust and industrial residue (Dark Earth, Burnt Umber, Burnt Jet Engine, Smoke, Dark Steel), and a specialty Faded Green for moss, algae, and oxidized copper.
🎯 Color Selection Guide
For European armor and temperate vehicles: AK040 Light Dust and AK042 European Earth for Western Front and Italian campaign. AK081 Dark Earth for forested or muddy Eastern Front terrain. AK145 City Dirt and AK146 Asphalt Road Dirt for urban settings and paved roads.
For desert and arid theater: AK041 North Africa Dust for DAK vehicles and British desert armor. AK147 Middle East Soil for Iraq, Afghanistan, and modern arid deployments. AK140 Sienna Soil for Mediterranean and Southern European scenes.
For corrosion and oxidation: AK044 Light Rust for fresh scratches and new oxidation. AK043 Medium Rust for general corrosion on any metal. AK085 Track Rust for steel running gear. AK144 Burnt Rust Red for heavy decay on abandoned vehicles. AK2042 Dark Rust for aged neglected metal. AK2043 Ochre Rust for yellow-orange surface blooms.
For exhaust and industrial residue: AK2038 Smoke for cannon soot and engine exhaust. AK2041 Burnt Jet Engine for aircraft and sci-fi thruster staining. AK086 Dark Steel for bare metal wear points and machinery. AK143 Burnt Umber for oil residue and shadow areas.
For tropical and specialty effects: AK141 Vietnam Earth for Southeast Asian laterite soil. AK148 Faded Green for moss, algae, verdigris, and damp stone surfaces.
💡 How to Use
Soft application (brush-on): Dip a soft flat brush into the jar, tap off excess, and dab onto the model with gentle sweeping motions. Build up gradually — the material sits loose and can be removed if overdone. Best for hull tops, turret faces, fender edges, and anywhere dust would settle lightly.
Wet application (controlled placement): Dampen the target area with white spirit, then work pigment into the wet zone. The liquid holds the particles while you adjust placement. Once the solvent evaporates, the deposit stays put with a semi-permanent bond. Good for wheel wells, recessed panels, and areas a soft brush cannot reach.
Fixed application (permanent bond): Apply the pigment first, then touch AK Pigment Fixer (AK048) to the edge of the deposit and let capillary action pull it through. This locks the particles permanently while preserving the matte, textured look. Required for gaming pieces and frequently handled models.
Paste application (heavy mud): Mix pigment with white spirit or fixer on a palette to a thick paste. Apply with an old brush or sculpting tool to track links, hull undersides, and diorama groundwork. Stipple while wet for natural irregularity. Layer different tones for realistic soil variation.
Surface prep: Apply over a sealed matte or satin base coat. Glossy finishes reject loose material because the particles slide instead of gripping. A quick pass of flat varnish before applying creates the right tooth for adhesion.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between these and AK Enamel Liquid Pigments?
These are loose pigment applied by brush and require a separate fixer or white spirit for permanent adhesion. Liquid Pigments (AK14001–AK14014) come pre-mixed with an enamel carrier that bonds on its own without a fixing step. Use these for maximum texture control. Use liquid for faster application.
Can I use these with fixers from other brands?
Yes. These bond with any compatible hobby fixer regardless of manufacturer — AK Pigment Fixer, Vallejo Pigment Binder, matte varnish, and white spirit all work.
Do I need to varnish after applying?
For display models, fixed material holds without additional sealing. For gaming pieces or builds that get handled regularly, a very light matte varnish spray adds extra durability. Apply in thin passes to avoid flattening the textured finish.
📐 Specifications
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Brand: AK Interactive
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Product Line: Weathering Pigments (Dry Powder)
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Volume: 35ml jar per color
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Formula: Ultra-fine mineral powder
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Application: Brush-on, wet placement, paste mixing, or fixed with AK048
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Finish: Matte, textured
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Compatible Fixers: AK-048 Pigment Fixer, white spirit, matte varnish
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Intermixable: All colors blend freely
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Available Colors: 20 (see variant selector)
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Country of Origin: Spain
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Best For: Dust, rust, earth, soot, exhaust, and metal effects on AFV, aircraft, ships, dioramas, Warhammer 40K, model railroad, and terrain
