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I'm looking at getting some FW powders to spruce up my ABG tanks, I'm pretty sorted on mud effects thanks to tutorials on youtube but I'm having a hard time finding any on their rust effect powders. Anyone had any experience using them? I'm wondering which powders to go for, I want something that looks good, but not overwhelming. Any hints or tips would be appreciated.

Excluding products like Doc O'Brien's powders, which are designed to be self-adhesive, pigments all work the same. Don't limit yourself to Forgeworld-specific tutorials and you'll find plenty, especially from tank modelers. Don't use FW powders, so I'm not sure which shades they have available, but it's generally best to get a few, allowing for natural variation. If you don't want to buy the whole lot, at least get two shades.

Remember that fresh rust is bright and old rust is dark. If you have a particular age for the effect due to fluff, use that as a guide. If it's a purely aesthetic call, older rust is generally more subtle in terms of color.

Before FW had their own line of powders to push they were recommending MIG weathering powders. I'm currently hunting for a north american distributor of the stuff.

 Zuul wrote:
Before FW had their own line of powders to push they were recommending MIG weathering powders. I'm currently hunting for a north american distributor of the stuff.

Vallejo pigments are just a good but are limited to the more earthy tones. Secret Weapon Miniatures has an awesome range of pigments with a lot of interesting colors, with Metallic Iron being one of my favorites.

 Zuul wrote:
Before FW had their own line of powders to push they were recommending MIG weathering powders. I'm currently hunting for a north american distributor of the stuff.

Check out secretweaponminiatures.com Mig powders and SWM powders are both pure powered, that is all, no additives, no wax, no binding agent.

A.

Don't ignore Tamiya stuff either, their weathering master sets get positive reviews, I'm waiting on a delivery of a trial set myself.

One thing I would say, although general feedback has been good, and this is about powers, I don't see how Ryza Rust can give a good look on a textured surface, so would suggest caution in using it. The reason being that rust tends to accumulate in recesses, at least initially, but this is apparently meant for drybrush application (therefore picking up raised areas first.)

I may be talking out of my hole, but I think either powder or painted effects are definitely the way to go.

The Forge World powders are, as mentioned, essentially just rebranded MIG powders.

The GW "technical paints" are a bit interesting to work with. What you generally want to do with those is actually work a bit of Lahmian Medium in(even for the powdered ones like Ryza Rust) and it effectively serves as a "thinner" letting it get into the recesses better.