Create mud, snow, water, rust, dust, wear, terrain textures and special finishes for model kits, miniatures and dioramas with Vallejo ranges such as Diorama FX, Weathering FX, Pigment FX and Special FX.
Choose the type of effect
Effects for model kits, miniatures and dioramas
In this category you'll find effects for scale modelling, designed to add realism to model kits, miniatures, bases and dioramas. You can create terrain, mud, snow, water, dust, rust, damp, soot, wear and special finishes without having to prepare every mix from scratch.
Available effects ranges
- Diorama FX Vallejo: textures, pastes and gels for terrain, sand, mud, snow, water, lava, rock and diorama bases.
- Weathering FX Vallejo: ageing effects such as mud, rain, damp, fuel, oil, grime, rust and environmental wear.
- Pigment FX Vallejo: powder pigments for dust, earth, rust, soot, dry mud and natural wear on vehicles, bases and scenery.
- Special FX Vallejo: special effects for blood, corrosion, frost, vomit, green rust, moss, lichen and fantasy or sci-fi finishes.
Which effect to choose for your project
- Terrain and bases: use Diorama FX if you need volume, texture, snow, water, sand, rock or mud.
- Vehicles and military models: combine Weathering FX and Pigment FX for mud, dust, rust, oil, rain and built-up grime.
- Fantasy or sci-fi miniatures: Special FX helps you create blood, acid, corrosion, frost, moss or extreme grime effects.
- Full dioramas: mix textures, pigments, washes and drybrush to bring terrain, figures, vehicles and accessories together in one scene.
Useful accessories for applying effects
To work with these products it helps to have brushes, spatulas or modelling tools, tweezers, putties, adhesives and, depending on the finish, varnishes or fixatives on hand. Effects usually work best in thin layers, building up the intensity gradually.
Frequently asked questions about effects for scale modelling
What are effects used for in scale modelling?
They add realism to model kits, miniatures and dioramas. They let you simulate mud, dust, rust, snow, water, damp, smoke, wear, corrosion and other finishes that a flat paint alone can't achieve.
What's the difference between Diorama FX, Weathering FX and Pigment FX?
Diorama FX is aimed at terrain, water, snow and base textures. Weathering FX is used for ageing, grime, mud, rain, oil or fuel. Pigment FX are powder pigments for dust, earth, soot, rust and dry effects.
When are effects applied?
Usually after the base paint and main washes, once the model already has its overall colour defined. Some effects, especially pigments, can be sealed afterwards with varnish or a fixative.
Which effects are best to start with?
A good starting point is usually a mud or earth effect, a dust or rust pigment, a snow or water product if you make dioramas, and a grime or ageing effect for vehicles, bases and scenery.