I am new to modelling, so I need a bit of help. How do you paint a tank? I have only made two model tanks so far and while my technique does seem so be getting better, I still need some pointers. For my first tank, a KV-2 from hobbyboss, I just put paint on it from out of the jar (Luftwaffe green) the paint did seem a bit too shiny though. For my next model, a RPM T-28 1931, I ixed some of the Luftwaffe green with water, causing a nice spreading effect that wasnt shiny. After i ran out of luftwaffe green I used some Tamiya olive green which also went on well with a bit of water.

I see all the pros using bases and all this high end equipment, but how would a noob like me be able to paint a tank well? What is the procedure to follow? Have I been doing it right?

Start here:)

http://armorama.com/forums/140764&page=1

I usually spray my tanks flat black, and after it dries I cover it with several lightly sprayed coats of sand, olive drab, or whatever. Or, you can cover the black undercoat with brushed-on acrylics.
Spray vinyl tracks with flat black, brown, gunmetal or the color of your choice, then cover them with coats of acrylic or enamel in the colors you want (mud, rust, etc). I like to use Tamiya Flat Earth acrylic to simulate mud. Sometimes, I throw a few coffee beans into the grinder, grind them for a few seconds, shake some out, and grind the rest to a finer consistency. Then, I mix the coffee bean bits with a little cat litter and some Elmer's glue and daub it onto the tracks, wheels and places where I want mud and grit. Afterwards, I cover it all with Tamiya Flat Earth. Gunze Sangyo also has a mud-colored acrylic with a little grittiness in it, which is great stuff.
Remember, too much is not better than not enough!
Good luck, and have fun building your tank.

G'day Ted !

First thing, do you have an airbrush ?

I have a couple that I use for different models, but to get you some tips we need to know how you're painting your current models

Cheers

Paul

if you arent using an airbrush, i suggest finding a cheap airbrush setup. its the gift that will keep on giving. Although, you may have to drop a couple hundred bucks on a cheap setup, you wont regret it in the long run. there is so many uses for the airbrush that will make things so much easier.

Im just using a hand paint brush. My retarded parents do not allow me to buy anything, even if I earnt the money myself. And they wonder why I spend so much time at the computer. I consider myself lucky even to have been able to buy 2 model kits anyway.

thats rough. spray form of paint is definitely easier. could always become a master at masking and do rattle can options. But, if they arent willing to do that either, your going to have to be a master at brush painting.

Thanks to everyone that replied. Lately I have not been feeling good lately (mentally) so that is why I havnt replied. What sort of stuff do you do when you paint with a brush? How do you paint all the parts? I always notice little grey parts on the wheels after painting them because i missed a spot. Clearly it would be easier with a spraycan or airbrush, but and airbrush is expensive and I am too young to own a spraycan (16). other then painting each piece before i put it together, is there any other way to do this? Also, what procedure should I follow when hand painting?

Hi Ted,

i paint all my kits by hand. Get you self a set of half decent brushed. Make sure you wash the kit parts in soapy water so that they are free from greese.

Are you using enamel or acrylic paint? Acrylic is water based so easier to use. Stir the paint up well and apply it with a damp or wet brush, keep you're brush wet if you are covering large areas. If you apply the paint thinly and give a couple of coats the paint will build up evenly and you shouldn't have any missed areas.

Painting is fun but it takes time to develop you skill so practicfe and getting used to the way the paint works is important.

If you build the model in sub sections then paint in sub sections, just leave the joint clear of paint then when the bits have dried, paint over the joins. Many people prime the surface first with a basic primer. Have patience, let things dry, before you add another coat.

There are lots of articles about adding pin washes and washes etc here on site that will help you develop you skill in picking out detail and finishing off a kit.

Hope that helps a bit.

Al