do any of you weather certain parts before you do your final assembly?
In my case, most of the weathering in and of itself is generally done after the final clear coat is on and the model looks like it’s just rolled out the factory doors… That’s when I start the weathering process… There are some areas that need weathering before final assembly however, especially vehicle interiors and cockpits…
Battle damage… A lot of that is done before assembly, and some after… Flak damage, shrapnel ,and bullet holes are best done before assembly, and things like dents, bent fenders, etc after…
Sometimes I will weather the hull area behind the wheels before I attach them–like adding dirt to it–but in general, no. I usually weather the model after painting.
I DO however, weather the insides of the tracks before installing them on the wheels. And I’ll sometimes weather the tops, like under the hull area too.
Depends on the weathering one is trying to replicate. Dirt and stains are usually done post painting. But if you are scratching, chipping or going for a faded and worn look, you need to incorporate this as you build. IMHO