First off, you posted the question in the middle of the night on the east coast, when most people are sleeping. Relax and it will get answered.

Some people build the model completely and paint the smaller detail items while they are on the model, using a fine brush. Some use small pieces of paper slide under tools, etc. to protect the rest of the model from paint.

I use the method where I leave anything that doesn't get painted the hull color (tools, water cans, weapons, etc.) off and paint them separately. Once painted, then I carefully glue them on using superglue. Once weathered and dullcoted, any stray glue will not be seen.

I tend to paint the fiddly bits (any external stowage, road wheels, side skirts, etc.) seperately from the tank hull and turret and attach later.

Hi Cavalry,

I think your post is a very good question, but the answer you seek is just as individual as there are members in this forum.

I think the lack of posts could be caused by the fact that everyone has their own approach at this - and also lots of times the building steps or the break down of the kit requires different approaches.

For my part I always build the major parts before painting (hull, turret etc) - this allows me to clean up my mess rewealed by the primer. I glue all delicate parts (cleaning rods, tarpaulins, tools etc..) to pieces of sprue and paint and drybrush (or whatever technique is required) these before attaching them. I mostly build modern armor and figures but the approach is the same. Open vehicles are - to me - always a nightmare because you are required to build, paint and mask during the building process - I guess I should do more open-top vehicles to get more practice and perhaps thats the whole point of my reply to you. The more you build the more you learn to "plan ahead" the different steps.

Please do not take my post the wrong way as I have no idea how long you have been modelling and I am not the greatest artist in this forum - I am merely trying to reply to your question.

Best regards from rainy Denmark
Morten

I just got up and see a fine response from a nice group of folks.

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I just got up and see a fine response from a nice group of folks.

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I thought you didn't sleep???

Alabama is not on the West Coast of the US.....are you still at Irwin?

I usually paint and then assemble the main vehicle parts. So, I do my road wheels then paint the hull then attach the assembles for example. Problem, the glue and the paint . I note that numerous folks (Epi and the fellow who just did the Puma 234/2 build) assemble the entire model then paint it. If this is correct, how do you paint the tools and water cans? If you mask them, what do you use?
thanks

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I usually paint and then assemble the main vehicle parts. So, I do my road wheels then paint the hull then attach the assembles for example. Problem, the glue and the paint . I note that numerous folks (Epi and the fellow who just did the Puma 234/2 build) assemble the entire model then paint it. If this is correct, how do you paint the tools and water cans? If you mask them, what do you use?
thanks

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What's the answer, they mask and spray the model assembled? I hand paint so it's way easier for me to paint and assemble as I go.

Gary

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Alabama is not on the West Coast of the US.....are you still at Irwin?

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Nope, that is why I said East coast above. I am now at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery , AL attending a school till the summer.

Personally, I always try & get as much assembled as possible before painting. In fact on a wheeled vehicle I even attach the wheels also, tyres are painted carefully in situ. The only thing I don't attach is the tracks on tanks, these I paint & weather seperately. ..........
....... I'm still unsure about the tools. The general consensus seems to be that the wooden parts should be in natural wood colour, & the metal gunmetal (with dry brushed bare metal or rust to suit), but I'm pretty sure that tools on British vehicles were/are painted in vehicle colour.

Frank/Steve-- great input. we really appreciate your taking the time to provide us a detailed explanationof your techniques.
thanks again.

The model below is two assemblies only .. hull and turret.

Is this the old Italaeri one? If so it's an excellent job! I like the Zimmerit, what is it, Cavalier, Eduard or home brewed?