Ok …Im building a 1/48 scale Tamiya Stug III Ausf B and a 1/35 scale Stug III Ausf A from Dragon. Im new to German armor and I picked these two particular tanks not only because I think they look cool, but because they are painted a solid color Panzer Grey. Im intiminated by later German tank cammo schemes due to the fact I do not , as of yet , have an airbrush. I have always mainly built aircraft and have always used “Rattle Cans” and brush paints. Im looking for some advice on how to get proper paint job using canned sprays and brushing. Also…Id like any advise on an easy way to weather the tanks. Thanks for your help…This place is great! [^]
I started out using rattle cans also but got fed up with the inaccurate spray and pluged nozzles ruining the paint job.An air brush gives you so much more control and once you get used to using one you’ll never go back to using rattle cans for painting models.
Devildog, you should be able to put a decent paint job on your Stugs with a rattle can.Just as aircraft, several light coats as opposed to a heavy one. The draw back is that cans don’t let you easily make color variations in the color. You know, put down a darker base coat and then a shade lighter lightly over that. You can, if you can find the right colors. In my opinion that’s the first step in weathering. It gives some depth to the color and helps replicate fading.
Man, as far as the best way to weather, well that would fill the entire forum!!!Here are some links to give you an idea where to start’
http://afv.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=60
http://afv.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=34
http://www.militarymodelling.com/features/feature22/index.html
http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/other/awpaint/awpaint.htm
These are just a few of the helpful articles to get you started. I personally use a mixture of the many techniques that are out there. I start with the base coat, then fade it with a lighter shade. Then I use a filter effect with oils as well as adding light color streaks also with oils. After these have dried I future the whole thing, decal and wash with oils or ink. Once that is dry I’ll drybrush also with oils and flat coat. Finally I use weathering powders and dirt effects. Some say I over weather but I like the weathering because they eventually all end up in a diorama or small vig.
Of course this is just how I do it and a quick over view. Keep hangin’ around here and you’ll get all the help you need!! Here’s a couple of my weathering jobs. Still got alot to work on. Have fun!!
Stug…thanks for all the info…Thats good stuff and I like the work you do. I dont think you over weather, I think it looks very realistic. One of my stugs (Dragon 1/35 stug III Ausf A. “Michael Wittman”) should be ready for paint soon…So far the model is coming out very well, although the instructions leave much to be desired. But I will use your advice when its time to paint. Thank You. Ill keep you posted on the progress.
CFRussell thanks for responding to my post…Ive always used rattle cans with good results on aircraft. But I just broke down and ordered an airbrush. Its on back order so I have to wait. I got an Iwata HPC+ and a scorpion II compressor. I got it from DixieArt they had the best deal and free shipping to boot. So Im really exited, but a little apprehensive. I hear airbrushes can be touchy and hard to get the hang of. For the detail work I want to do I need though. Ill let you guys know how it works out. Im sure Ill be asking for all kinds of advice when I actually start using it. Well anyway, the Stug will probably be my last out of the can paint job.
Devildog, nice choice of AB!!! You’re gonna love it. I’m a Paasche guy myself but you can’t go wrong with what you chose. Don’t be intimidated by the AB. The best advice I can give you is play with it!!! I used colored water on stock paper at first just to get the feel of using it. The paint mixtures and thinning ratios you kinda just have to figure out as you go. When first starting out it may be well worth practicing with the mixtures on some scrap or an old kit before you go to a hard worked on project. The practice is well worth the effort( IMO ).Here’s some help. Have fun!!
http://miniatures.de/html/int/airbrush.html
Also in the Painting topics there is alot of good advice!!
Devildog1rh your welcome and thats good advice that STUG61 has given you. good luck and let us know how the painting goes,whatever method you use.[tup]
Welcome devildog ! and listen to Andy, he’s given you really good advice here. Good luck and again welcome to the dark side…
Steve
Good for you Devildog!! having an airbrush just opens up a whole new world of painting, and the Iwata is an airbrush you will love. I practically sleep with mine, it’s been one of the best investments I’ve made to date. It cleans up very easily, and with the tips Stug61 gave you, you will be painting circles around all of us before you know it. Oh!! Welcome to the forums. Semper Fi, Mike
Thanks for all the airbrush advice guys…I cant wait to get it!!! Ive wanted one for years! I dont know about painting circles around you guys yw18mc…Ive seen your guys work and I can only hope to get that good one day…Ill let you all know when it comes…Thanks again…Rich[:)]
Oh ya Devildog1rh welcome to the Forum (the dark side as these guys call it) Im new here also as you can see and its been really great.
I have an HP-C and man, you are going to have fun! There is no limit to what you will be able to do. My advice is to practice…a lot. Read on how to do, then experiment. I would stick with acrylics because the fumes are greatly reduced.
You can also paint the Stu3 a sand color, Dunkel geld.