Just got the Tamiya M1046 Humvee for my anniversary. Want to get started on it but don’t want to make some mistakes I made with the last tank I built. So, I thought I’d come here for some advice. The last tank I did, I did the detail painting along with assembly as the instructions indicated. The problem came about when I put it all together and started the finish. Most of the detail painting got marred and washed out or covered in one way or another. So, what do ya’ll do? I want this thing to come out good. Help me, please!!!
This comes up often here. My preferred method, and it seemas of most others here, is to build the model as much as possible first. Leave off smaller detail items that do not get painted the same as the hull, along with road wheels and track for tanks. Paint the body colors, then paint detail items separate and add them after with superglue. Also, pick out fine details such as instrument dials, seats etc on the HMMWV at this time. Apply decals and weather and finish your model.
Hope that makes sense. Basically, build all the items that can be painted the same and leave off the details till later.
Also, on softskins like the HMMWV, you need to plan out how you will display it and build and paint in stages too. If you are going to show the interior, you will need to completely paint the interior before you close it up with the top, then you can close it up withe top and temporarily tack the doors and paint the exterior. Once the exterior is painted, the doors can be popped off and detailed to show the interior.
Do it like a car kit. Do the engine, detail and paint. That would be hard to do later. Paint the engine compartment and underbody. Assemble the body and chassis. Paint and assemble the interior. Then paint everything else after masking the areas that need protecting. Then do the wheels and weather last.
It all depends on what your comfortable with. For ex: I’m working on a british quad gun tractor w/ limber@25 pdr., I painted the chassis, interior and exterior seperately. then adding wash and weather to each respectively. I still have to detail all the little things like: handles on the shifters, winch rollers, rope, shovels,etc…then finally add the windows, then I will put it all together. I’m sure I’ll have to touch up something somewhere when its all done. Depending on being a tank, jeep, truck or apc., sometimes its easier to detail after weathering because the “scrubbing” of the brush, can mess up fine details, for ex; turning indicators on german halftracks@armored cars. I used to always at least break one every time, now I wait until all weathering is done, add the pre-painted (with base color) indicators and match my wash and weathering with the rest of the vehicle. If you put it all together then paint, you can’t get a “thorough” wash@weathering. It will be blotchy with wash, and bare from lack of weathering in spots you can’t reach like under the dash or seats. good luck!
Thanks for all the advice. I guess some of this stuff would seem obvious, but until you sit down and do it, it doesn’t come across that way. I’ll definately be using these tips. Appreciatte it.