Armor - order of operations when building

Interesting.  I start with pulling my hair out trying to plan the perfect build (and how I want the diorama). In public policy it is called "analysis paralysis".

My order normally goes:

Build, prime and paint 

coat with future wax

apply decals

apply tamiya matt varnish

weather and attach exhaust pipes,  antennas, tools, shovels. (anything hard to paint when already glued on model)

pin wash for panel lines, oil stains and pigment powders

pull hair out trying to make it look perfect.

I've been working on my build order for armor models.

Assemble major components (leave wheels off if possible)

black basing

base coat

post shading

paint/install wheels

paint /install pioneer tools/add-ons details

future

decal

future

wash/dot filtering

future/flat coat

weathering

doriangrey

Doesn't the Future turn out to glossy?  I tried Future on the bottom of a recent tank build and I'm glad I tried it on the bottom first becuase it looked to glossy to me.  Maybe I need to mix the Future with something like Tamiya XF-86 clear matt coat? 

 

Yes, Future on its' own is glossy. When you add Tamiya Flat Base, you can make it semi gloss, satin, or flat depending upon the ratio. Too much Flat Base and then it gets foggy looking. But that can be rectified with another coat of regular Future. 4 parts Future to 1 part Tamiya Flat Base is a good starting point in my limited experience.

1) Build and paint

2) Decals

3)Dry brush

4) Gloss coat. Was future but recently swicthed to Alclad Aqua

5) Dot filtersa or light brown over all wash

6) Pin wash

7) Flat coat

8) then dusting and pigments.

Doesn't the Future turn out to glossy?  I tried Future on the bottom of a recent tank build and I'm glad I tried it on the bottom first becuase it looked to glossy to me.  Maybe I need to mix the Future with something like Tamiya XF-86 clear matt coat? 

My main go to for Matt Coat is Humbrol. I had been using the small tinlets, but recently they have started selling small bottles. The stuff dries dead flat and with my airbrush I have far better control than a rattle can of dullcoat. But I also have used Future mixed with Tamiya Flat Base as well. That just requires a bit of fiddling to get the ratios right. 

For me:

1) build & paint

2) if heavy weathering, apply mud where needed

3)gloss coat

4) decals then washes

5) sealing coat

6)dry brushing

7) final weathering, pigments, etc.

thats just me... there are plenty of other order or steps, techniques, mediums, etc... find what you prefer.