Getting back into modeling after a long break. Started modeling as a kid in the 1970's. My enthusiasm was way higher than my skill. Most of my models ended up getting blown up by firecrackers, shot by bb guns, or burned with lighter fluid. I guess I was the evil kid from Toy Story. In the 1980's I got a bit more serious, even bought a Paasche single action airbrush (which I still have). Did basic camouflage like USAF SEA and Euro1, USN gull gray over white, and two tone gray for F-15/F-16. My only weathering method was dry brushing.
Then career and rasing a family took over. Around 10 years ago I made a short foray, tried to get my kids into it, but it fizzled. But I collected some model master paints and other supplies that I still have today. After making only Revell, Monogram, ATM, etc. I have bought my first ever Tamiya, a Me-262. I've been practicing with the old Paasche and I think I might be able to pull off the mottled Luftwaffe RLM 76/82/83 scheme flown by Hans Guido Mutke. I have some model master USAF medium green and olive drab that I plan to use. On my practice runs on styrene sheets I got from Walmart, these seem too dark so I will add some white. Close enough for me :) For the 76 I plan to use a mix of white, light gray, and a drop or two of blue. For weathering I plan to use some light preshading of the panel lines. I might do some acrylic or water color washes in random areas, and charcoal or chalk for oil streaks, hydraulic fuild leaks, etc. And I bought some Parafilm from Etsy, I can't wait to try it for masking the canopy.
On deck I have a Monogram Mig Killer F4 and Monogram F105D that I got from ebay 10 years ago. Those are old kits with raised panel lines, I am still trying to figure out what to do with those. Probably do some preshading, and try to be careful not to overdo it. I have seen the discussions about preshading, I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I definitely think it can be overdone, and imo it can distract from the rest of the model. But I think fully scaled-down "realistic"weathering tends to make models look too plain, too factory fresh, almost toy-like. I recently went to the Planes of Fame museum, and it is true from 50 feet the panel lines, rivets, stains, etc. are barely visible, if at all. But the planes still look real because, well, they are. However, a 1/48 model from 1 foot away is a totally different situation imo. A real life 1/8 inch panel seam would be around .003" at 1:48 which is a human hair. A real life 2" wide oil stain would be less than 1/16" wide at 1:48. I believe weathering at these scales should be slightly exxagerated to make a model more realistic looking. At least to my eye. It will be fun to experiment with all the new techniques I am seeing on the internet. And at the end of the day, having fun is what it's all about.