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[Bri'a]

I am trying to weather my cape at the moment. I have the paint how I want it, but I feel the tattered edges at the end look too fake. Also, the sides seem like they also need some ripping to them.

I tried sandpaper and it just made the edges fray into strings.

Anyone have any suggestions how I can do this to make it look more convincingly battle worn?

[Second Son]

Sandpaper with a light touch might work to help along the sides - that could make for subtle wear. I think that the sides would receives less wear than the hem.

For the bottom edge, some advice I've seen on the forums, and things that occur to me, in any order or combination could work:
-drag it along behind on pavement, gravel, and grass. 
-Tie it against a tree or fencepost and whack the bottom couple inches with a stick or metal pipe or both
-drive over it
-light it on fire a little (natural fibers only) and put it out. 
- lay it on concrete and rub bricks or cinder blocks over it randomly
- rub it through gloved hands along the whole length of the hem.
- twist it up and shake it out repeatedly
- wash and dry it several times

Hope this helps and good luck vod.

[Bri'a]

Sandpaper with a light touch might work to help along the sides - that could make for subtle wear. I think that the sides would receives less wear than the hem.

For the bottom edge, some advice I've seen on the forums, and things that occur to me, in any order or combination could work:
-drag it along behind on pavement, gravel, and grass. 
-Tie it against a tree or fencepost and whack the bottom couple inches with a stick or metal pipe or both
-drive over it
-light it on fire a little (natural fibers only) and put it out. 
- lay it on concrete and rub bricks or cinder blocks over it randomly
- rub it through gloved hands along the whole length of the hem.
- twist it up and shake it out repeatedly
- wash and dry it several times

Hope this helps and good luck vod.

Thanks this is great advise! I will try some of these techniques!

[Druj Jes]

I use a combination of spray paints in browns and blacks. I also use dry pigments and for convincing burns I actually use a torch. 

Here's how mine looks for now. They only look better after more troops with actual wear.

[andy c]

Hi Bri'a
I am no expert still starting out ike your self.
You could try Wire brushing the edges from different angles. Try it out on a scrap piece first.
Hope it helps.

[Ruug'la Carud]

a wirebrush will do what you are looking for.

[Bade Duun]

+1 to the wire brush.

You'll have to comb out the brush as you pull more fibers. Roll up the cape horizontally, gather the bottom portion of the cape and brush all of it together on all sides.

Afterwards, wash and dry to remove the loose fibers and to 'puff up' the remaining fibers, similar to frayed denim jeans.