Hi Mike, when I returned to the hobby last year I told myself to keep it simple. Way back when I built the flying things I tried to get the the "correct" paint, you name the brand I had it, seemed like all I did was chase my tail. NOT THISTIME!!!
Now the only paint I use is Tamiya and I love it, found some nice mixing charts right here in Armorama. I don't prime. I'm old school, wash and dry. And spray several light coats
I use Andrea paints for my "dudes " it covers great and is dead flat. Started using a wet palette, check you-tube out, it really keeps the paint from drying out.
By the way real nice detail work on your track

Looking good Ken.

Old school huh. I remember when the only paint you could buy was Humbrol, and the only way to apply it was with a brush....
... and glue only came in tubes, with 'strings attached', that exploded as soon as you pierced the tip
.... and the rubber tracks had to be stapled together (and they were rubber!!)
... and adding detail meant scrounging for household items and disused containers for materials

and adding mud to a vehicle was thought to be just covering up a bad build

... oh all that effort to type was tiring, I need to go for my first nap of the day now.



Seriously though, I do prime my model when there is significant brass. I find some paints, particularly Tamiya Flat Black doesn't stick too well to brass and even a little brushing for detail work can lift it off raised areas or edges. Tamiya's brand primer in the rattle can is good, but I decant into a jar then airbrush to control the application for complex areas like interiors and around raised components, etc.

What thinner do you use? I use Tamiya's Lacquer Thinner after some of the guys in my club told me to try it instead of the Tamiya acrylic thinner. It seems to give a smoother finish than the acrylic.

Part for the airbrush ordered and should be here Thursday or Friday next week... just before I head off overseas for a couple of weeks.

Peter I use Tamiya A-20x, it seems to work. I haven't tried any brass yet though I have my eye on a Lav25 with some inexpensive brass. Do use one of those clamp and fold gizmos? They do seem cost $$$$

I'm pretty much "old-school" too...but have had to learn the tricks of the trade- I use Vallejo Air paints for the airbrush (just starting to learn the beast)...and I have learned that priming really helps, esp. with PE and a must with resin- I use Valspar Project Perfect (from Lowes) in a rattle can, works great, and very cheap ( $4.00 for a 12-oz can should last me my lifetime)...

Learning how to use the trigger on this dual action will be the death of me . I used a single action for so looong This is fun right

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger!

Pulled this kit out of the stash to be my entry here I just dont know when I will get started but figured I would post the start photo anyway

Looks good, welcome aboard, Sal!

Hi Guys, WIP update my first attempt at the b/w technique. Still trying to get used of this dual action brush. Will let it sit overnight and do base coat.

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Looks good Ken. Anxious to see the OD on it.

@ Sd.Kfz.sevens – Those are some of my favorite tracks — can't wait to see them rolling onto the werkbenches!

@ Ken – That's already looking killer!

—mike

Hi Guys, put some OD green on, any tips suggestions would be appreciated I think I will maybe try a green/ blue filter?

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Turned out quite nicely.

Welcome aboard Sal. Nice choice.

Ken, seem to have got the hang of the Dual Action airbrush easily! Looks great.

Yes I have 2 Hold N Fold devices for etch work. I find I use the 'Bug' more than the 5" one, it is a handy palm sized tool that can handle most needs up to reasonable size tool boxes, etc, and it is not that expensive. The 5" I use for large pieces like fenders and the like. It really does pay to use one instead of pliers or tweezers as it holds the part and ensures straight folds, etc. It is an investment just like an airbrush or compressor, and with a lot of kits being multi-media now, you are likely to get your money's worth out of one.

Filters will help break down the uniform colours over the whole vehicle if you layer them. Try not to paint the whole vehicle with uniform filters. Add more layers is different places to add more depth variation. There a lots of articles on filters that probably explain this better than I can.

Dust streaks and where grime has been washed down vertical surfaces to pond in crevices on horizontal will also add some appeal. There is an art to it all, one which I am still learning.

Still waiting for my airbrush part but off on 3 weeks OS leave tomorrow, so I won't be able to post anything for a while. Happy building guys. Catch up when I get home.

Ken, it looks great. Did you have any fit problems with that kit?

Hi John, it's the old Tamiya kit I have had for over twenty years. So it fell together real nice using these old kits to practice on before shelling out big bucks for the newer ones.

I'm gonna get in on this one.

Boy oh boy. I'm gonna be cutting it extremly close if I do not get started on my build soon.

Hi all, here are my official entry pictures.




I'm going to convert this GMC into T48 (SU-57) version. I think, this will be quite easy and not time-consuming project.

Timothy and Marek, welcome aboard! Dustin, we have until the end of June, even my halftrack is 3 kits away!

Hi Guys, WIP update applied a green/ blue filter. Now for the gloss coat. I hope these 20 year old decals will work

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Ken- About those 20 year old decals. If they are yellowed try putting them in a window facing the sun for a couple of days to bleach out the yellow. If you are worried about the cracking and falling apart you can spray them with clear gloss and that should hold them together. If you do that you will have to cut/trim each decal individually since after the gloss coat they will all be one big decal. Good luck.

I'm in with this one, it was in the stash so why not?




I'm a few steps in:




Needed a bit of filler here and there, drilled out the ends of the flak guns.

I have this in my stash too, Comrade, look forward to your build!