Scale modeling
How to construct accurate model oil drums, fuel cans, and storage tanks with realistic dents and rust spots.
This evergreen guide reveals practical techniques for crafting convincing miniature oil drums, fuel cans, and storage tanks, detailing metal textures, authentic shapes, dented edges, and subtle rust patterns for model realism.
August 11, 2025 - 3 min Read
Realistic oil drums and metal containers begin with a solid framework that respects the original dimensions. Start by selecting the correct cylinder or barrel form and plan for the seam where panels meet. Use styrene or metal with a thin gauge to mimic thin-walled containers. Precision is essential, so measure carefully and draw light guidelines on your material before cutting or bending. The appearance of rounded surfaces matters; slight imperfections in circular edges communicate mass and use. For tanks and drums, the shoulder, belly, and base curves should flow naturally, and the top openings must align with realistic caps or lids.
After shaping, establish a consistent surface texture. A fine-grit sanding step smooths any burrs, while a micro-scratch wash adds the planed look of factory finishes. Apply a base coat that matches the intended era and material—aluminum for newer drums, steel for older ones, or painted metals for rusty stages. Weathering begins with subtle dry brushing to hint at wear without overpowering the form. Then lay down a modulated wash of darker tones into crevices to simulate accumulated grime. Splashes of rust color are added sparingly to reflect environmental exposure, with brighter rust only where the metal has been most compromised.
Combine shape, texture, and patina for durable, believable models.
Dents tell a story about handling, storage, and transport over years. To reproduce them convincingly, shape the plastic or metal using soft tools that compress rather than puncture. Randomize dent sizes and depths across the drum’s body and lid, avoiding perfectly uniform depressions. Edge indentations along rims should appear as if the can was rolled or struck with a tool. Flattened spots around the bungs or caps indicate repeated use. Remember that gravity shapes dent patterns, so larger deformations typically settle toward the bottom half of the container. The goal is to convey impact without turning the piece into a caricature.
Rust spots are the most evocative feature, but overdoing them dulls realism. Start by painting faint, uneven patches using a restrained palette: burnt umber, raw sienna, and a touch of black for deeper corrosion. Build up color gradually with thin layers to simulate multiple weathering events. Use a stippling brush to mimic pitting and flaking where metal is exposed. For resilience, dry brush rusty tones along weld lines and panel seams, reinforcing the sense of oxidation at joints. Finish with a matte seal to prevent the pigments from migrating and to unify the texture with the metal’s sheen. Realistic rust emerges from balance, not brute saturation.
Employ controlled weathering to tell a longer, believable story.
Small fuel cans demand precise proportions; their proportions should reflect standard capacities while remaining visually consistent with scale. Use a slender body with a tight neck and cap that threads or snaps into place. The curvature of the body influences light reflections, so aim for a smooth transition from belly to shoulder. Small bands or seams around the body can be added to suggest manufacturing marks. Add subtle weathering along the lower third where contact with ground and liquids would occur. A light dusting of powdery residue can imply storage in damp environments, while brighter highlights emphasize metal’s reflective quality.
When detailing, consider the paint layer as a separate narrative. A recovered, chipped paint look around the shoulder and lid sells age without masking the metal. Use fine brush strokes to create micro-cracks in the paint that follow the metal’s contours. These micro-cracks resemble stresses from temperature changes and handling. Layer rust washes sparingly near seams, and keep the most active corrosion in areas shielded less by lids or caps. Apply a final clear coating that matches the chosen finish, ensuring the paint, rust, and metal tones blend coherently under light.
Learn to integrate all elements into a cohesive model piece.
Storage tanks introduce larger dimensions and more complex surfaces, including flat panels and reinforced rims. Start with accurate sheet metal construction, forming straight panels that meet with clean seams. Pay attention to header pipes, manways, and rivets or weld beads that run along joints. These features catch light differently than curved surfaces, giving depth to the piece. The tank’s scale dictates how tightly you compress or smooth the edges to retain a convincing silhouette. The base often bears the brunt of movement, so add a heavier layer of grime at the bottom to suggest sludge or residual liquids. The top should look sealed or capped, depending on era.
For denting on storage tanks, apply broader, shallow deflections rather than pointed, deep craters. These shallower dents mimic careful handling rather than violence, which is more common in drums. Use a wider tool and gentle pressure to create a natural, sunken irregularity. Then blend the dent’s edge into the surrounding surface with light sanding so there is no harsh outline. Rust follows the same logic as drums but tends to appear around access hatches, seams, and welded corners first. Build up color gradually, letting some metallic underlayers peek through to communicate a robust metal structure beneath decay.
Final checks ensure realism and model longevity.
When you assemble, ensure that joining points remain invisible or intentionally masked. Hidden seams can imply factory assembly lines, while visible seams should align with structural logic and the era you’re depicting. Use tiny contact patches or glue dots that do not disrupt the surface’s appearance. If you’re combining multiple drums or tanks, maintain consistent weathering levels across the ensemble to tell a unified story of exposure and age. Weathering should not erase the model’s readability; instead, it should enrich the perception of use, history, and purpose. Quality control includes rechecking alignment under varying light.
The finishing pass should balance durability with aesthetics. A topcoat seals dirt and pigment layers while preserving the underlying texture. Choose a finish that suits the scene—gloss for recently maintained metallic surfaces or matte for grittier, older looks. Even in a small scale, glare patches on rounded surfaces can simulate reflective metal. Avoid over-shining any area; metal dazzle can fake newness rather than suggest wear. A final dry brush of light metallic highlights can emphasize raised edges or rivets, enhancing the drum’s tactile presence without overpowering the overall patina.
Environment and context shape the final touches. Consider the display setting—studio shelves, workshop benches, or outdoor dioramas—and adjust weathering accordingly. A dusty shelf highlights powdery residues along the base, while a rain-soaked exterior would emphasize wet, darkened rust patterns. If your model interacts with other elements, such as pallets or barrels, simulate contact wear where contact occurs. Pay attention to scale-dependent details like thread pitch on caps or the thickness of reinforcement rings. These tiny cues signal authenticity to the viewer and reward careful observation.
Finally, document your process for future projects. Photograph your work from multiple angles under controlled light, noting where each weathering step begins and ends. Keep a color log that records the exact tones used for rust, grime, and metal, so you can reproduce or adjust later. As you gain experience, you’ll recognize which textures read best at your preferred scale and which techniques translate most reliably to different container types. The aim is to build a repeatable workflow that produces consistent, lifelike results across oil drums, fuel cans, and storage tanks alike.
