Best method for motorcycle seat?

[pjgtech]

Hi, currently only just started on a 1:12 motorbike build, but the seat is just a shiny plastic black.
What would be the best method to get a more realistic worn seat type look?
Was thinking of maybe lightly sanding it down then some sort of black leather type paint.
Nb: I do have a leather and wood paint set, but I think the leathers are just reds / browns, so no black.

[Tim Marlow]

Was the original seat on the Blackbird leather though? If it’s vinyl then a good way to replicate it is to polish up the black plastic using Tamiya polishing pastes. I’ve done that on a bike build before and it looked quite realistic.

[pjgtech]

Hmm, good question, I think its vinyl, and its already quite shiny, a bit too shiny IMHO, hence why I thought maybe knock it back a bit.

[PaulTRose]

Rattle can of matt black

[Tim Marlow]

Hmm, good question, I think its vinyl, and its already quite shiny, a bit too shiny IMHO, hence why I thought maybe knock it back a bit.

Polishing it actually gives it that vinyl “Sheen” texture, not a high gloss. At 1/12 scale texture can be important. You’d get away with paint in 1/35, but bikes are bigger.

[Nicko]

You could achieve some texture by stippling some fairly thick matt paint ideally a 'not quite black' and then just rub it between your fingers once fully cured to knock back the higher spots and also give an uneven glossier/matt look....

Nick