Im a newbi, plain and simple.

Ive built an M2 Braldey and applied the first color (Tamiya Desert Yellow) but now Im dumbstruck!

Ive read the articles on this site but I dont really feel that the are aimed towards newbies....
Can anyone tell me a really simple way to get my M2 to look like its been around for a while?
Ive considerd a very thinned down black or brown wash but I dont dare to try!

Please people, help me!

//Christian
"Swedens nr 1 newbie"

Hi there.

Well, I'm fairly new myself, so maybe I can give you some suggestions that have worked for me even though I'm new. I'd apply a clear coat of some type. Most here might use a gloss coat, then dull coat it later, but to simplify things, I just apply a dull coat. Then, do a wash. I'd use something like Burnt Umber and paint thinner. Apply is to the nooks and crannies. If you just touch the brush to a seam line, the wash will wick itself down the line. Keep a rag handy to blot up any excess that you get on the model. Then, do a bit of dry brushing. Just use your base color and lighten it up a bit. Dip the brush in the paint. Wipe almost all paint off on a piece of paper, then lightly hit the high points on the vehicle. Good luck.

what do you guys use for dullcoat? how do you apply it? brush or air?

First, understanfd the Tamiya color you chose is not the same color as the US Army and Marines use. If you need to use acrylics, try to find Polly Scale. They have an exact match to the current desert tan.
Okay, before you weather, lay down a gloss coat of your choice and apply the decals. Seal them with another layer of gloss when they're dry. Now, do what Armorguy told you. Seal this with flat coat.
I use Testor's laquer gloss and dull coat from an airbrush. If you don't have an airbrush, you can use their aerosol cans, but be sure to have a lot of ventilation and shake the cans very vigorously, especuially the dull coat.
You can also go to an arts and craft store and pick up some chalk pastels. Chalk, not oils. Scrape the flat side with a knife edge to make a fine powder. Various browns to match the terrain and black for exhaust. Apply this to the lower section of the model with an old brush to simulate dust. If there's an exhaust port/pipe, run some black in the direction of the exhaust to simulate staining.

Oh! I almost forgot the pastels. Do those too. I've had great luck with them. Also, I've had great luck so far with not using a gloss coat and using a decal solvent to apply the decals, then sealing with a dull coat. It's what's worked for me so far. I tried some gloss coat once, but just couldn't get it to flatten out like I wanted again, but you may have better luck with it than me. Also, I may try it again and figure something else out. I use the Testors rattle cans for the dull coat. It is Nasty smelling stuff though. Do it in a well ventilated area and wear some kind of breathing protection too if you can.