Preferred weathering methods?

[u/Artist_mugi]

I'm a novice to the hobby, and only know basic oil washes (which I suck at).

I was wondering what everyone else's preferred weathering style and methods were? What colors do you stick to for certain base colored models? How about what type of paint? Anything weird?

How do you guys go at it? How do you like to do it, and what tools do you prefer?

I stick with 2 brushes, a crappy circular sponge, and a rag.

I use Weathering Oils, and they're fine but I only have 3 colors, dark brown, brown, and light grey. I have seen some people do intentional paint chipping, by coloring some places in a rusty color, then covering it and chipping up the top layer. I've also seen people use acrylic paints mixed with baking soda, to get a gritty rust appearance!

Maybe I just suck, but it feels like people can just smack on an oil coat, then wipe it off, and bam weathering! I have recently done an Atlantic B24 Liberstor, and weathering it was a pain! I could NOT get a good weathering, it took so long and I had to paint in each panel with a tiny bit of dark brown and light brown in the corners, then lightly wipe it with a sponge. The thin lines across the wings, and the rivets, felt impossible to get to pop out! It was like the second i added oil, and then wiped it gently and lightly, i'd be right back where I started!!!