How to Make Fallout Stimpak Prop DIY Wasteland Craft

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Fallout 76 Stimpak prop reference propped on a Purified Drinking Water can, next to a tin of Mentats

How to Make Fallout Stimpak Prop DIY Wasteland Craft

(Fallout 76 Inspired DIY Weathered Prop Tutorial)

If you snagged the Dave’s Hot Chicken Fallout Meal toy and thought, “This is cute… but it needs more wasteland grime,” you’re in the right place.

FALLOUT MEAL PRIZE:

When Dave’s Hot Chicken released their limited-edition Fallout Stimpak toy, I knew immediately it had potential.

The shape was right. The details were there. But let’s be honest — straight out of the box, it looked like exactly what it was: a shiny plastic promo toy. And if you’re a Fallout fan like me, you know a Stimpak should look like it’s survived the Wasteland — worn metal, aged brass, darkened crevices, and just enough grime to tell a story.

chems with 2 stimpaks screenshot from the game Fallout 76

So I decided to give this little freebie a full post-apocalyptic makeover and turn it into a realistic Fallout 76–inspired prop using a rotary tool, a little wire, and my favorite secret weapon: Rub ’n Buff.

The transformation is easier than you think — and the results are seriously satisfying.

Be sure to watch the video tutorial too!

Also, how cute is this power armor guy squeezing the rubber chicken!?

Dave's Hot Chicken Fallout Meal deal box with toy prize, stimpak syringe

Today we’re transforming the Dave’s Hot Chicken Fallout Stimpak toy into a realistic, distressed, video game–inspired prop that looks straight out of Fallout 76.

This DIY prop makeover uses simple tools, flexible wire, and Rub ’n Buff metallic finishes to add authentic aging, depth, and post-apocalyptic character.

his DIY prop makeover uses simple tools, flexible wire, and Rub ’n Buff metallic finishes to add authentic aging, depth, and post-apocalyptic character.

What Is a Stimpak in Fallout?

In the Fallout video game series, the Stimpak is an injectable healing item used to restore health. It has an industrial, retro-futuristic medical aesthetic — metal fittings, visible wires, analog gauges, and a glass vial filled with red fluid.

The Dave’s Hot Chicken promotional toy version is a great starting point — but it’s very clean and plastic-looking. With a few upgrades, we can make it look convincingly metallic and game-accurate.

realistic Fallout Stimpak cosplay prop before and after Dave's hot chicken fallout meal distressing diy

This project is perfect for:

Fallout cosplay
Post-apocalyptic Halloween costumes
Display props
Game room decor
Fallout 76 fans
Upcycling plastic toys into realistic props

Let’s make it look like it survived the Wasteland...if you don't have the Dave's Hot Chicken Stimpak, you can easily find a plan and 3-D print one.

Supplies Needed for Distressing Stimpak Fallout Prop:

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Base Prop

Dave’s Hot Chicken Fallout Stimpak toy (or a 3D printed stimpak)

Tools

Rotary hand tool (like a Dremel)
Tiny drill bit
Safety glasses
Paper towels
Cotton swabs

Materials

Flexible black-coated aluminum wire (2 small pieces)
Rub ’n Buff in:
- Gold
- Antique Copper
- Ebony
- Silver

Optional:

Gloves
Soft buffing cloth
Clear matte sealer

2 stimpak toys from Dave's Hot Chicken Fallout meal deals

Fun Fact:

Dave's Hot Chicken is an hour away from my house, up in a college town.

I asked a friend who's attending college there to let me know when they were coming home.

Luckily it was just a week away.

I ordered the 2 of the Fallout meals (and a bunch of other food) online and she brought them to my door...and then we made her come inside and eat all the Dave's Hot Chicken with us.

It was the BEST reason to have a friend over!

Rad away, Rad-X and stimpaks in a pile of chems, screenshot from Fallout 76

Step 1: Study Fallout 76 Stimpak References

Before altering your toy, take a moment to study reference images from Fallout 76.

Notice the stimpak from any of the games:

The exposed curved side wires
Slightly worn metal crossbars
Darkened crevices
Metallic depth on edges
Subtle grime buildup
Shiny but aged finish

Accuracy is what makes this DIY prop believable.

Boxes from the Dave's hot chicken Fallout meal deal and the plastic stimpaks still in the bags

Tips for Realistic Cosplay Prop Aging

To make any plastic prop look realistic:

Focus on edges and raised surfaces
Darken recesses
Mix metallic tones
Avoid solid color coverage
Study real worn metal objects

Distressed prop realism comes from imperfection--and imperfection is my middle name!

Tips for Realistic Cosplay Prop Aging To make any plastic prop look realistic: Focus on edges and raised surfaces Darken recesses Mix metallic tones Avoid solid color coverage Study real worn metal objects Distressed prop realism comes from imperfection--and imperfection is my middle name!

The syringe was sort of in the meal deal so you could slurp up the ranch dressing and squeeze it out onto your spicy chicken slider or tender.

We opted to NOT use the stimpak for ranch dressing!

Step 2: Drill Side Holes for the Wire Detail

Adding the curved, janky wires is the step that instantly upgrades the realism of this toy to stimpak.

Using your rotary hand tool with a tiny drill bit:

Drill small holes in the center sides of the pressure gauge meter face.
Drill matching holes into the crossbar edges.
Keep holes shallow and clean — don’t drill all the way through.
Wear safety glasses.

These holes will hold your decorative curved wire, mimicking the Fallout game design.

Pro Tip: Go slow. Plastic melts easily under friction. Let the tool do the work.

Step 3: Add the Curved Wire Detail

Cut two small pieces of flexible black-coated aluminum wire, or any wire you have on hand.

Gently curve each piece into a soft arc.
Insert each end into the drilled holes.
Adjust curvature until it matches your game reference.

Gently curve each piece into a soft arc. Insert each end into the drilled holes. Adjust curvature until it matches your game reference.

This small detail completely changes the silhouette of the toy and makes it feel less like a mass-produced plastic item and more like a hand-assembled medical device from the Wasteland.

If needed, add a tiny drop of glue inside the holes — but friction-fit often works fine.

Step 4: Cut Needle Angle

Switch out the bit on the rotary tool from the drill to the cutting disk.

Hold the stimpak steady and cut the end of the syringe at an angle, making a "sharp" needlelike point on the end of the stimpak...ready for quick deployment.

Step 5: Glue

Add drops of glue (Bearly Art Precision Glue or Super Glue) on all the junctions of wire and plastic stimpak.

Just a tiny bit, so it's not goopy, but it helps hold those wires in place.

Step 6: Begin the Weathering Process with Rub ’n Buff

Now the magic happens.

Rub ’n Buff is a wax-based metallic finish that creates a realistic metal effect over plastic. It’s perfect for cosplay prop aging and distressing.

We’re layering multiple colors for depth:

Gold
Antique Copper
Silver
Ebony (for grime and shadow)

Step 6: Begin the Weathering Process with Rub ’n Buff Now the magic happens. Rub ’n Buff is a wax-based metallic finish that creates a realistic metal effect over plastic. It’s perfect for cosplay prop aging and distressing. We’re layering multiple colors for depth: Gold Antique Copper Silver Ebony (for grime and shadow)

How to Apply Rub ’n Buff:

Squeeze a tiny amount onto your finger, gloved finger or paper towel.
Rub lightly onto raised areas.
Buff immediately with a clean paper towel.
Build up in layers.

Less is more. You can always add more but a little goes a long way.

How to Apply Rub ’n Buff: Squeeze a tiny amount onto your finger, gloved finger or paper towel. Rub lightly onto raised areas. Buff immediately with a clean paper towel. Build up in layers. Less is more. You can always add more but a little goes a long way.

Step 7: Layer Metallic Depth

Start with Gold or Antique Copper.

Lightly apply across:

Crossbars
Meter housing
Syringe body
Textured grips

Buff until smooth and slightly shiny.

Step 7: Layer Metallic Depth Start with Gold or Antique Copper. Lightly apply across: Crossbars Meter housing Syringe body Textured grips Buff until smooth and slightly shiny.

Step 8: Add Ebony for Grime and Wasteland Aging

Now it’s time to dirty it up.

Use Ebony Rub ’n Buff sparingly:

Around crevices
Near drilled holes
Around crossbar edges
Around the meter rim

Buff lightly so it settles into recesses but doesn’t dominate.

This step gives the prop that Fallout 76 post-apocalyptic realism.

Step 8: Add Ebony for Grime and Wasteland Aging Now it’s time to dirty it up. Use Ebony Rub ’n Buff sparingly: Around crevices Near drilled holes Around crossbar edges Around the meter rim Buff lightly so it settles into recesses but doesn’t dominate. This step gives the prop that Fallout 76 post-apocalyptic realism.

Be sure to gently add some Rub n Buff to the wires, and wipe them with the paper towel too.

Then add Silver to:

Edges
Corners
Raised details

This layering technique creates the illusion of worn metal where surfaces would naturally be touched or scraped.

Distress the pressure gauge face a little bit, and wipe with a baby wipe or damp paper towel, so it's not over bearing...but slightly distressed.

Then add Silver to: Edges Corners Raised details This layering technique creates the illusion of worn metal where surfaces would naturally be touched or scraped. Distress the pressure gauge face a little bit, and wipe with a baby wipe or damp paper towel, so it's not over bearing...but slightly distressed.

Step 9: Protect the Red Syringe Line

The red vial detail is iconic. Keep it clean.

If metallic wax gets onto the red center line:

Use a cotton swab
Gently wipe away excess
Clean before the wax fully cures

Maintaining that pop of red adds contrast and authenticity.

Step 9: Protect the Red Syringe Line The red vial detail is iconic. Keep it clean. If metallic wax gets onto the red center line: Use a cotton swab Gently wipe away excess Clean before the wax fully cures Maintaining that pop of red adds contrast and authenticity.

Step 10: Final Buffing for Realism

After all layers are applied:

Buff the entire prop with a clean paper towel
Focus on raised metallic areas
Blend transitions

The goal: slightly shiny, worn metal — not glittery or painted.

The more you buff, the more realistic it looks.

Step 10: Final Buffing for Realism After all layers are applied: Buff the entire prop with a clean paper towel Focus on raised metallic areas Blend transitions The goal: slightly shiny, worn metal — not glittery or painted. The more you buff, the more realistic it looks.

Optional: Seal Your Fallout Stimpak Prop

If you plan to use this for cosplay or conventions:

Apply a light matte clear coat
Spray in thin layers
Allow to dry fully

This protects the finish while maintaining realism.

Optional: Seal Your Fallout Stimpak Prop If you plan to use this for cosplay or conventions: Apply a light matte clear coat Spray in thin layers Allow to dry fully This protects the finish while maintaining realism.

I could have gone a bit darker on mine, but I do like the gold shine.

Stimpak on diamond plate, screenshot from Fallout 76

Why This Method Works

Instead of spray painting (which can look flat), Rub ’n Buff:

Creates natural metallic highlights
Allows controlled layering
Adds instant depth
Feels like aged brass and steel
Doesn’t obscure molded detail

It’s one of the best techniques for DIY prop weathering.

Side by side picture of distressed stimpak next to a plain one from Dave's Hot Chicken

Before and After Transformation

This toy starts as a smooth, shiny plastic piece.

After distressing:

It looks metallic
It has depth
It resembles Fallout 76 game art
It feels custom-built

Upcycling promotional toys into realistic game props is such a satisfying DIY niche — and this one is especially fun for Fallout fans.

That's it!

This project is proof that you don’t need expensive materials or complicated builds to create an authentic-looking cosplay prop.

With just a few small modifications and layered metallic finishes, a fast food promotional toy can become a display-worthy Fallout Stimpak that looks like it came straight out of Vault-Tec’s supply closet.

I love how the added wire detail and weathered metal tones completely change the feel of this piece — it’s gritty, dimensional, and perfectly imperfect.

Whether you’re adding it to a Fallout costume, decorating a game room, or just geeking out over a clever upcycle, this little Wasteland makeover is such a fun way to level up a simple toy into something epic.