Hello, there are many threads related to building and weathering armor but after looking at many threads and posts I can’t seem to find a definitive answer to the question of what is the order of operations when building armor. I know there isn’t an absolutely definitive order but I’d like get some thoughts on this because I’m still a bit of a noob. This is what I think is the most logical order but I look forward to hearing from others. Thanks!
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Build
-
Paint
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Apply decals
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Dry brush with lighter color
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Coat to protect (Future and flat base - 70% future to 30% flat base)
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Apply a darker wash
For me:
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build & paint
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if heavy weathering, apply mud where needed
3)gloss coat
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decals then washes
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sealing coat
6)dry brushing
- final weathering, pigments, etc.
thats just me… there are plenty of other order or steps, techniques, mediums, etc… find what you prefer.
what do you use for sealing 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.
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.
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
thank you for the replies - much appreciated! 
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.
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”.