_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV: IDF [Israeli Defense Forces]
Armor and AFVs of the IDF army from 1947-today.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Primer (Chipping) Color for Merkava Mark IV
cabasner
Visit this Community
Nevada, United States
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Monday, July 31, 2017 - 08:06 AM UTC
Hi all,

I searched for an answer here, but couldn't find one, so here's my question. I'm working on an Academy Merkava Mark IV LIC. I like the kit, better than the Hobby Boss version, which I also own but have not built yet. My question is about chipping. If I lay down a primer, with the idea of using that color as the layer that will show when chipping the main color layer, what color should the primer coat be? What colors are seen under the main IDF sand grey color when the paint is chipped on a real tank?

By the way, I have the Desert Eagle book on the Merkava IV, and it seems to me that there are VERY few chips in the paint on Merkava IV, just lots of dust and dirt. Am I wrong in observing this? The pictures in the book, which are numerous, just don't show much in the way of paint chips. So maybe my question is not all that relevant...

However, any help would be greatly appreciated!
ReluctantRenegade
Visit this Community
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Monday, July 31, 2017 - 04:04 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi all,

I searched for an answer here, but couldn't find one, so here's my question. I'm working on an Academy Merkava Mark IV LIC. I like the kit, better than the Hobby Boss version, which I also own but have not built yet. My question is about chipping. If I lay down a primer, with the idea of using that color as the layer that will show when chipping the main color layer, what color should the primer coat be? What colors are seen under the main IDF sand grey color when the paint is chipped on a real tank?

By the way, I have the Desert Eagle book on the Merkava IV, and it seems to me that there are VERY few chips in the paint on Merkava IV, just lots of dust and dirt. Am I wrong in observing this? The pictures in the book, which are numerous, just don't show much in the way of paint chips.


Frankly, I don't recall seeing much chipping on active IDF AFV's (regardless their age) as these are usually vigorously maintained by their crews. Although much of IDF's heavy equipment sees some kind of real action during its service (which generally lasts a few decades as IDF loves to refurbish old stuff...), these periods are usually short, followed by relative calmness which allows the crews and ordnance staff to take good care of the equipment.
I've served on a tank that was at least 15 years old (maybe even 20...), yet it was in perfect condition, in and out. I clearly remember regularly painting over chipped paint caused by extensive usage with a piece of sponge dipped into the base color.
I don't quiet recall the exact color under chipped paint, but I think the paint chips were slightly darker than the base color (maybe some kind of dark(ish) grey).
GTDeath13
Visit this Community
Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Monday, July 31, 2017 - 05:09 PM UTC
Just my 0.02$....

You have to plan where and what to chip.

If you want to add scratches to the paint in areas such as the sideskirts and fenders take in mind that IDf uses red oxide primers. So the best way to go is a 2 or 3 layer chip-scratch. First layer is the basic color in a lighter shade, about 40% lighter, next is the primer and finally bare metal, a dark gun metal. But in scale the red oxide has to be very toned down so that it will not show as much. I prefer to avoid high contrast colors, since they tend to stand out and distract one's eye.

For chipped paint due to usage, such as on hatches, hatch lips, hinges, handles etc you can just do a 2 shade chipping with the lighter basic color and the gun metal.



cabasner
Visit this Community
Nevada, United States
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Monday, July 31, 2017 - 05:26 PM UTC
Thanks, gents. Israel, what you describe seems to be supported by the photos of Merkavas that I've seen...very few chips, if any. I wonder if there is a way to model touched up paint chips. I've never seen a reference to that, and no doubt WAY too small to be noticed at 1/35 scale. I think it's going to be mostly dirt and dust for weathering my IDF tanks/vehicles.
ReluctantRenegade
Visit this Community
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Monday, July 31, 2017 - 06:05 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I wonder if there is a way to model touched up paint chips. I've never seen a reference to that, and no doubt WAY to small to be noticed at 1/35 scale.


Agreed. In case you do want to replicate the effect of new paint, use a slightly darker shade of the base color.


Quoted Text

I think it's going to be mostly dirt and dust for weathering my IDF tanks/vehicles.


You're absolutely right. Weathering IDF AFV's should focus on dust (or mud if you build a model resembling a vehicle stationed on the Golan-Heights during the rainy season) and oil/grease stains rather than chipping and rust (should not be on any active IDF AFV).
Having said all that, the tanks belonging to the 460th Brigade (the main IDF tank training formation belonging to the Southern Command) show a different picture. Since these tanks have no dedicated crews to pamper them for their entire service and see very extensive useage, they do show their age, especially the (now phased out) Mk.IIs.
 _GOTOTOP