Yeh I had a lot of fun putting this one together it was slower than my armor builds due to the interior painting and tape off of wind screen but all in all was great build. As for the weathering it is actuall alot easier than you would thing and this example is the very first time I had done it I was impressed I got alot of advice from a new friend on the Areoscale forum which I copied below in it I asked some questions and got the answers as to how do do this weather read on and you to can do this weathering
Preshading by airbrushing thin black lines over all panels lines
1. Do you apply a first coat prior to air brushing the panel lines (color??)
Some times...see I rarely prime, to me it's a waste of paint. What I'll do is wipe down with rubbing alcohol. Ok back to the question...if the model I'm doing is in gray or white plastic then no. if it's in a different color then yes. I once did Tamiyas A-10 which the plastic was molded in a dark green. I then painted in a gray tone.
2. The layer after that is that thinned or just sprayed over the airbrushed panel lines
Most if not all the time my paints are thinned to the consistent of milk. When spraying over the panel lines...I spray on the both sides of the panel line that is to hide most of the darkened pre-shade. Then I spray the aircrafts panels...I start from the center out. Once that's done I'll lighten that color with some white and spray around the aircraft in different spots, this will bleach out the panels. This is done along the top side; this is where the sun affects the paints.
3. After that future is applied by airbrush (i never used this before is it the floor stuff from the market) is that thinned? And how long untill dry??
(I used the future air brushed on several coats dries in about 20 min)
No you do not need to this the floor wax; it's pretty much thin on its own. You can also brush it on...its self leveling. It dries fast; I wait like 10 minutes between coats. But I DO suggest you wait a good day before you apply the decals, especially when using any decal solvents.
4. I see you use an oil wash It looked rather sloppy after application you then wipe it off leaving it in the panel lines I am assuming also do you apply the decals befor your wash??
Yes I apply the decals before I do any washes, if you don't the decals will look out of place....to clean. Also they would weather out just as the paint. When wiping of the oil wash, wipe in the direction of flight.
5. Then is there any other weathering done after that before the final dull coat
Um well...I like to do all the weathering before I apply the dull coat. Once the dull coat is on I'm finished. Any of the weathering that is done would be leaking hydraulic fluids, oil leaks, any exhaust of gun stains and a little....very little rusting.
Well I hope I was able to answer your questions or help some. Anything else feel free to ask. Good luck with your project....
BTW: Great looking armor builds you have, love the Abrams. I also do armor....working on a few Stryker kits. I'm now finishing up 12 US Stryker figures in their ACU uniforms....what a female dog. Will post over this weekend.
Happy Modeling,
Joe
Thanks Joe you are a big help
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