Hey all

I have a question for you guys...My question is do you guys build the model tank 100% complete then start the painting/weathering process or do you guys paint all the parts individualy then glue them together then start the weathering..?
Thanks

Some of both, really.

I generally paint and do final assembly simultaneously.

I usually wind up with a lot of detail parts and sub-assemblies that I paint and bring together gradually as I complete the model.

It's hard to draw exact lines as to what I paint first and assemble later, though.

Here are a couple of build blogs that show how I integrate building and painting:

Canadian Firefly WIP

StuG IV WIP

Panther Ausf G WIP

There's no right or wrong, though, and I know plenty of guys who build and finish a lot differently than I do.

Really, it's what works best for you.

HTH,

I agree there's no right & wrong.

It depends on the model, but usually I follow some guidelines,
If there's an interior to be shown, tank or APC I tend to work that first.
Also be aware that if there are metal or resin parts you have to apply some primer first before painting.

I usually leave the equipment(shovel,axe,jack,etc..) and paint them separatly.
I also leave the wheels & running gear out so I can paint & weather the lower hull first before adding the wheels and tracks.
Sometimes I consider doing the turret of the tank separatly(building and painting ) just because it's easier to hold and paint without damaging the rest of the kit.

Except for the interior, road wheels and tracks, I complete the entire build before I paint. There are too many color variations painting the interior to do it after it has been built. I will paint all parts of a certain color in groups. It is much easier to assemble sections of the tracks, before painting. This holds true for the road wheels, as well.

I generally will build up the most that I can when building armour. I usually leave the road wheels, tracks and any really breakable stuff like antenae off until the end.

This is my current build in the paint/weathering stage right now.







cheers

I pretty much follow what has already been said.

1-Interior painted
2-hull built up without wheels and tracks. Basic paint color.
3-wheels, tracks built, and painted. Installed after hull is painted.
4-Upper Hull built and basic paint. This usually includes tools so they can be weathered at the same time as the whole tank.
5-Turret built and basic paint.
6-Lower hull, upper hull, turret are now assembled. Final details added. Weathering is the next step.

Joel

I usually keep the sub assemblies as limited as possible. See this blog here of a panzer IV ... painted in 2 sub assemblies ... hull and turret. I have added a short explanation.
Pzr IV blog

I read that you air brush the wheels after gluing them up.
Never thought of that, as I've tried hand brushing them after gluing them up, and it was a very time consuming process. That's why I pre-paint the hull, wheels, and tracks, before building up the hull sub-assembly. Just might give your method a try.
Thanks,
Joel