Haven’t done any modeling in over twenty years, but am considering getting back into it, because I have this NEED to do some armor. Perhaps a Sherman.
Why? For the last three years, I’ve been playing Combat Mission and I’ve grown to love the tank.
Many of the guys I play against over the net are modelers and we were talking recently about weathering techniques.
I seem to recall using a technique that used hot wax. You would put on your base coat and then brush on melted wax, or maybe it was floor wax over the areas you wanted weathered. Then you would put on your main coat. Either the top coat wouldn’t stick to the wax, or you would then chip off the wax (I don’t recall) and you would end up with an area that looked as if the paint had chipped away or perhaps where a shell might have ricochetted.
Anybody know anything about this?
Thanks.
Welcome to the forum. I’m sure there is at least one person that lurks around here that would be willing to talk you into buildig a Sherman. I’ve never heard of useing hot wax before. Maybe someone else here has, always like to learn something new.
Don’t know about the “hot wax”. You’d have to be careful not to melt the plastic.
If you wanted to do paint chips, you could do the same technique but use “Micro-Mask” or “Magic-Mask” instead. It’s a liquid compound that you brush on the areas that you want masked, paint over and then remove the mask media.
I’ve heard of some people using Rubber Cement with this technique and getting good results. I’ve not used this method, but it should work. I’d practice on a scrap piece first though.
Welcome to FSM Boo Radley. Good to hear you want to build a Sherman. I’m all for that.
As for the “Hot Wax” technique … it may work to remove some unsightly hair but I’ve never heard of anyone trying to use it on a model. The method that you describe is pretty close to “Salt Technique” that is finding favour in some circles now. The results can be very impressive but can also be easily overdone.
Now the only other thing that comes to mind is using Future Floor Polish as a gloss coat to make decals lay flatter. Maybe it’s a combination of these things that you’re thinking about.
Now back to Shermans … you couldn’t have picked a better time to pop in here with Sherman questions. We have a Sherman Group Build just starting on January 15. Check out the thread near the top of the Armour Forum page.
Welcome to the forum Boo Radley. You will find some very good information here at FSM.
mark956
Thanks, guys. As I’ve said, it’s been many a moon since I’ve done any modeling. I started, as I assume we all did, at an early age, just gluing them together and letting it go at that. Then back in the early 80’s, I got back into it, mostly doing WWII aircraft, but going further with my technique by using autobody filler to close seams, sanding and what not. After I wrote the initial post, I seemed to recall that I did indeed use a light coating of floor wax on areas that I wanted to appear as if the paint had been scraped off and it gave me good results.
I see that Tamiya has a neat 105 Sherman that would be great to work on.
Next step, checking out the local hobby stores.
I have used chalk to weather some of models.You can get them in differant colors.This
an a dry brush method works great.First crush your chalk into a bowl,then get the type of
paint you want to use.Dip your brush in the paint and remove exess paint to a near dry brush.Then take brush an dip it into chalk then apply onto the area you to weather.After
it has dryed a little take a dry rag an rub lightly to get your effect.Digger[:)][C):-)][:)]
P.S.I did this to apply winter coat on a KV2 and it worked beautifully.
Scratchbuilt, you mentioned using floor wax to make decals lay flatter. Is this used instead of Decal Set?
Actually scratchbuilt is just the ranking system used here at FSM.
But seeing as I’m the only one who has responded to your question that is in that rank, you must be referring to me.
I use it in conjunction with decal set and sol solutions. Decals adhere much better to a gloss finish than a flat surface.
Oops, sorry Shermanfreak, I’m not used to this forum set up yet.
It looks as if there have been many innovations in the modeling genre since I dropped out. Not surprising, though.
No doubt this forum will be a cornucopia of information for the future.
Welcome Boo Radley to our friendly forums. You lucked out as some of the members are getting a Sherman build going. Perhaps you can join the fun. Good luck.
Boo Radley wellcome back . your like me just getting back into it after round 8 years these guys are grate and been real helpfull for me [:)]
Hiya Boo Radley…! You’ve come to the right place. Looking forward to hearimg more from you soon.
hey boo radley!
welcome back!![:)][:)][:)]
i “came back” to the hobby a year or 2 back, and found that everyone was raving about this stuff “future”, or “klear” as it is my side of the pond!! it’s v cheap, easy to get hold of (it’s just a fllor wax), can be sprayed or hand painted/dipped, and really works!! i can’t speak highly enough of the stuff!![:)] use it as a sealant (stops greasy paw-prints), a pre-decal gloss coat (no silvering), a clear glue for v fine detailed parts, and dip your canopies in it to make them cystal clear (sorry, that last tip was for winged thingies!! sorry sherm!![:p])
anyway, evryone here is REAL friendly, so never worry about asking a really obvious question (i must asked more than mu fare share!!)…
regards,
nick
Don’t know if I’ll be able to join in on the Sherman family build as I’m starting right from scratch. I have no tools and am going to have to decide on where I can set up my work space. I’ve got a work room, but it’s going to take a bit of shuffling things around to get an open space to work. My wife presented me with an early birthday present (two months early) of a work table as an inducement to get cleaning.
Boo - the build doesn’t start for another couple of weeks yet … on the 15th. So if the opportunity arises for you to start then or even a little late … you’ll be more than welcome to join us.
I welcome the…er, welcome, Shermanfreak. We’ll see how it all goes. Between my other hobbies, (ie: playing Combat Mission and gem faceting) I’m going to have to work in this new possible hobby.
As it stands now, I’m just glad my wife, the ever lovely and charming SheWhoMustBeObeyed, didn’t give me the “stink-eye” when I told her that I might want to build a model.
I usually put in an hour each evening with the faceting and it usually takes a good hour or so to process the moves in all the different CM games I’m involved in.
Sigh… If I could just fix it so that I got paid for my hobbies, everything would be wonderful.