Who can cite good how-to articles on weathering techniques for plastic structures; notably the recently released Walthers coaling station.
Try drybrushing- works EXTREMELY well. Just get some paint on a dry brush, wipe most of it off, and then feather the brush one the building.
Go to Harold Minkwitz's site. His clinics are very helpful. http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/ (http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/)
Anything that would get dirty from coal and coal smoke, a good weathering item is powdered charcoal. You can get it at any good art supply store. I like to brush it on pretty thick, then use a paper towel to lightly remove some, leaving the black in the cracks and crevices and slightly toning down the colors overall. Then you can spray it with any flat finish, it doesn't dissolve the way chalk weathering does.
I like washes of diluted India ink if you don't want to mess with powder.
I agree with everyone's comments. A nice site for information on weathering in general is:
http://www.modeltrainsweathered.com/
Is there a good way to prep the plastic material; ie an alcohol wash to knock down the/any luster on the surface. Hopefully the noted websites might also have a tip for same. BTW, has anyone seen the "new" walthers coaling tower. Any rating on a 1-5 scale? Many thanx.......