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Texturing AFV Surfaces

a technique by Werner Kampfhofer
12
Comments

Texturing Armour

In military modelling nowadays, much attention is paid in painting and weathering a kit. It is my opinion that these effects and the effect of realism can be “doubled” by taking care on the base, the surface of the kit. Even the surface of soft armoured AFV's is slightly textured and sometimes uneven and not smooth like the surface of the respective kit will make us believe. The same is valid for weld seams.

To represent this texture I am using Italeri liquid glue and old brushes. I am wetting the relevant area of the kit with the glue and after a few seconds I start brushing around and texturing the surface. I am stroking symmetrical and asymmetrical until I get the desired result. It is important to be aware of the consistence of the plastic. Some are more resistant than others and keeping that in mind one should calculate the amount of glue added onto it. I always do some tests on the inside or bottom of the lower hull before I start off. Please do not loose your nerves when the plastic is changing it's colour and the kit will get shiny, it is normal! It is important that this effect is not overdone, or surface details are damaged by the glue. It is recommended to always check out pictures, or if possible refer to the real vehicle and examine it personally to get a feeling how the texture looks like. For beginners a medium or heavy Russian tank from WWII is recommended, as the surface of these tanks was always textured quite heavy. Nevertheless, if a surface got to heavy, it can be corrected by sanding with fine sandpaper.

For several reasons I sometimes get a hold of already painted AFV’s. If they are painted with acrylics to go ahead with the glue and brush technique as the paint dissolves and mingles with the glue. This technique is not recommended for enamel or acrylic-enamel as the paint does not mingle with the glue.

Copyright ©2002 - Text by Werner Kampfhofer (tankbuster). Photos by Hannelore Zajic, Wolfram Bradac, Robert J. Sladek, and Tankbuster. All Rights Reserved.
Project Photos
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About the Author

About Werner Kampfhofer (tankbuster)
FROM: WIEN, AUSTRIA


Comments

LUCKYBULLET
very good articles and very helpful tips.I print it to put in my "how to" folder.
JUL 21, 2002 - 08:30 PM
ArmouredSprue
Jim, great article. Just a question: Does he use a regular tooth brush for make de rough surface or its a special one? And if so, is it soft or stiffier brittle? I already used the seams method and got the same effects! Cheers
JUL 21, 2002 - 08:54 PM
Tin_Can
I must have overlooked this article. Really great stuff here. Makes me wanna run out and pick up another piece of armor...lol...noooooooo!
AUG 01, 2002 - 09:39 PM
Abrams101
Wow great idea. Yhe know i never even thought about texture. Great article.
AUG 02, 2002 - 05:56 AM
dencoarty12
Terrific article. Adding texture is certainly another step toward "ultra -realism". This is evidenced by the photos in Werner's article. When a model can stand up to such close viewing as in some of the photos, well the build has nailed it. Even the unfinished Sherman in the "strange colors" looks like metal. Great job! Scott "The Main Thing is to Have a Good Time"
AUG 04, 2002 - 07:06 AM
Smeagol
K, well i tihkn this article is quite old now, but why does the texturing go pink on the sherman, thanks
NOV 09, 2005 - 04:06 AM
staff_Jim
Sam, I believe that is just the color of the putty that Werner uses. Someone else can probably tell you what kind it is exactly by the color. Cheers, Jim
NOV 09, 2005 - 04:29 AM
airwarrior
Yeah it is the putty, I think it's made by testors.
NOV 09, 2005 - 05:37 AM
dsmith
A very nice articlewith some good tips. However, I have recently discovered that Mr.Surfacer 500 also works very well in creating textured surfaces. Since it sticks to itself so well, you can replicate really rough cast surfaces, to hardly any texture at all. Great stuff!
NOV 09, 2005 - 07:09 AM
cromwell
Hiya all, Great article by the way. When I paint any afv, I stipple the base coat on, I think this in itself gives good texture.
SEP 07, 2006 - 05:44 PM
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