I am building an M3A3 Sherman and I wanted to know when I should put all the tools on the vehicle. I have painted them and I think I should wait till after I apply the base paint before I add them, but was wondering what you more experienced modelers do, especially Shermanfreak as this is a sherman and my first one[:)]
It’s all a matter of personal taste. Some modellers put all the tools on, then paint. Others paint the base coat, then do their tools individually. Myself, I’m in the first category. I put as much of the kit together including things like the tools and then I paint the base coat. Camo netting, tarps, and some other stowage I will add later.
I’m with Robert on this one, whether it’s a sherman or tiger. I put the tools on and then paint the base coat. I paint the tools afterward. Obviously if your tools are already painted you don’t want to paint over them with the base coat now. Try it the other way on your next model and decide what works best for you.
I prefer to build as much of the base color as possible, paint, and apply tools etc. afterwards. How do you paint little tools after they’re already applied to the tank? I still wonder how people paint indy tracks after they are already built. [B)]
“It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it.”-R.E.Lee
I put everything on the model with the exception of the wheels, drive sprockets, idler wheels, and tracks. I find it easier to paint the wheels and tracks this way. Other then that…i paint the tools, etc. after it has been attached to the model.
I used to paint first then add the tools only because I though that I wouldn’t get paint in all the cracks. As I started using washes and drybrushing more, imperfections in the base coat weren’t a problem.
As usual thanks for all the great responses, I will try both ways and see which works better. Have no shortage of models[^]