HI all,
I'm happy to say that I've finally wrapped this one up. Between traveling and some other distractions, it's been longer than I've wanted, but I"m finally ready to call this one "Done"!
I didn't really take time to document the weathering--it was pretty standard stuff, and I didn't want to break my pace to have to photograph everything, so sorry about that.
Weathering consisted of these steps after I had applied the decals and painted all details.
1. Oil wash of 502 Abt "Buff" oil. Stippled with a wet brush to diffuse on flat panels
2. A light wash of Adam Wilder's pigment-based solution (Dry Russian Earth + Dark European Terrain) in mineral spirits. This was mostly removed, leaving traces and areas of "dust"..
3. Sealed with Wilder Pigment Fixer (MM)
4. AIrbrushed AK's "Rainmarks for NATO Vehicles". The technique to use is to spray one side of the vehicle, then use a thinner-wetted brush (NOT soaked in thinner) to pull the color down in streaks. Pretty nice stuff.
5. Added various pinwashes of contrasting colors--grays and browns--from Adam Wilder's "Gunpowder" line.
6. Lightly sealed with acrylic flat.
7. Used WIlder's "Mud Effects" to spatter the hull and tracks after masking the top hull.
8. Added some oil and fuel effects and graphite powder for highlights.
Without further ado, here she is.
Thanks, Carlos, for the ideas about the identifying caps on the 5-gal. cans!
The rear spade was finished by first masking a straight line about 2/5th from the bottom of the blade. This was then sprayed with Tamiya Chrome Silver. I then painted rust and dirt stains with oil paints, and next added pigment washes in the creases. Lastly, acrylic resin was used to mix up a "Dirt" mixture of pigments and real dirt, which as then carefully applied.
Thanks, everyone once again, for the help, interest, comments, and information and critiques that you have either offered or will offer now!
All the "redlegs" out there--please let me know if there's anything that I missed! And thanks to you all following along!