weathering a prop?

Ok, i've been looking, but I can't find anything, or I over looked something, but how the heck do you weather a prop? For example, I heard you can weather the Kenner Imperial storm trooper blaster toy and the Kenner Han solo blaster, and even a lightsaber, but I have no idea how...

.. <---eyes
help

 

It depends on what type of prop you're trying to weather.. on blasters and such you prime the prop, spray it with 2 or 3 layers of silver paint then 2 layers of black.. then a bit of sandpaper to scuff the black and let the silver show through in the spot that would have wear... Then use a matte finish clear coat to protect it all..

 

There are many techniques. Two very common techniques that I do the most are called "black-washing" and "dry-brushing".

Black-washing is used to add dirt to a prop, which makes the details stand out more. I do this on lightsabers. Use a dark brown, dark grey or black acrylic. Sometimes you could dilute it with water. Apply paint generously onto the area you want to look greasy, and then wipe it off. Some paint will stay in the recesses.
If what you want a groove to be really black, then I suggest that you use a black sharpie first before black-washing.

Dry-brushing is the opposite of blackwashing. Used to simulate that paint has worn off from metal objects. I do this mostly on blasters. Use a metallic enamel. Get as little paint as you can on a brush. Then wipe it off with a tissue or on a piece of paper so that it is practically dry. Then very lightly stroke the brush across the edge that you want weathered.
I like this technique better than using multiple layers of paint because you have more control and there is no risk of sanding through any metal layer.
Some tips for good dry-brushing are: *) do not overdo it, or it will look fake, *) use a paint for the metal you want to emulate, steel paint for steel, brass paint for brass, not "silver" or "gold". If the surface is not too shiny, you could "undo" a dry-brush stroke by dry-brushing with the original color on top.

There are many variations of the techniques. Do web searches on the terms "dry-brush" and "black-wash" (and variations on spelling) for more info and tutorials.