Hi all my name is Razor and have been modelling for many years but have now decided to take it a step further by making my models more realistic. I have purchased an Academy model kit of a M551 Sheridan tank. On researching the tanks statistics I discovered that the main body was made from aluminium so my problem here is that when weathering I would only be able to show wear and scuff marks and not show rusting as it was aluminium. I would like to know what undercoat to use to be able produce realism to my model.
Welcome to the forum,try posting in the armor section for more looks.
I would say you are correct,aluminum would not rust out,so standard rust colors would not be appropiate.As far as weathering,different washes or pigments could be used to impart a grimey,dusty or muddy look.
Your right about the Aluminium, I used to drive Warriors which were made the same. Do you want to paint Aluminium and then paint on top, removing bits for the scratches, .
No rust, but you can certainly show differences in color by painting a dark base coat in the corners, then lightly coating the main color over. Then highlight the center of the panels with a lightened version of the main color. That way you have variability in color, even if you don’t have rust.
Hi Bish sorry for the lapse in time in replying to you just have a lot on at the time,
Yes I will undercoat in silver and then final coat in olive drab then will mark it up some to resemble scratching. I haven’t been back at modelling for some time and am amazed at all the different techniques that are around. One I am particularly interested in is the salt weathering, it looks as though it has a lot going for it to bring out wearing and chipping on the model.
I am a little confused with some of the paints you guys use I haven’t seen or herd of most of them and here in Australia our hobby shops are a little behind in products (or should I say South Australia) not a lot of people here make plastic models most are more interested in RC not that there is anything wrong with RC.