Fresh Painted or Weathered ????

[Spartan tracks]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times but just wondered who prefers what factory fresh like my JP is ? Or weathered ajust seems a shame to weather it but I probably will.

[doc larsson]

always weathered can't have too much mud !

[tomhugill]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times but just wondered who prefers what factory fresh like my JP is ? Or weathered ajust seems a shame to weather it but I probably will.

If you do weather go subtle, I've never said to myself I've not weathered it enough, but I have thought I've over weathered something.

[HERMAN BIX]

always weathered can't have too much mud !

Second that !!
But its yours, so you do what you feel is right to get the look you wanted.

[billpe]

You could do some detailing rather than weathering. Pin washes, oil dry brushes, filters etc all add to the tank but don't require making it look dirty or used.

[wibblywobbly]

Before weathering, and what improves any tank, is several coats of matt lacquer. then weather it and then more lacquer.

Weathering takes many forms, anything from a light dusting around the lower edges of greys and browns (I use Vallejo neutral grey, and flat earth), just add a drop of matt black to each pass to break up the uniformity of the colour. Always let each coat dry (Vallejo dries in minutes) as it will darken, you can always add more, but you can't remove it. If it does get messed up then wipe it off with a kitchen wipe, you are only removing the weathering, as you applied it over that first coat of matt lacquer.

Stone chips? Get an small chunk of sponge, dip it into various mixes of rust pigment, matt black and silver, and 'very' lightly dab the surface. The front where stones fly up, and around the hatches where heavy boots go.

How far anyone takes weathering is always a matter of personal preference, some of the best sources for doing it are to be found in the 1/35 scale sites, or You Tube, and well worth the research time.

[jackalope]

Pin wash, light bit of road dust, maybe some oil streaks from the center full points on the road wheels and a light go over with streaking grim starting from the top and brushing downwards gives the look of rain water run off. I agree 100% with Tom.

[Rad_Schuhart]

Wibblywobbly, what kind of laquer do you recommend us?

[Tankbear]

I generally don’t weather and like Tom said it’s very easy to over-do and spoil it. I prefer the matt look then just let them get dusty in the garage or muddy from the garden.

[43rdRecceReg]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times but just wondered who prefers what factory fresh like my JP is ? Or weathered ajust seems a shame to weather it but I probably will.

All full size tanks were originally factory fresh once. Later, they were 'customised' according to conditions (landscape, season etc.,), and unit specific requirements. At various times, some were rushed into action with the paint still drying
(T34s at Stalingrad, for instance); but they were still pristine. I like my tanks pristine, and any weathering should come naturally..from use..as it did with the 'grown-up' versions (don't want to say 'real'..but) . That said, a spot of corrosion here and there, with credible oil streaks, exhaust staining, and other evidence of use all serve to enhance the appearance; as with adding jerry cans, netting, and so on. Some model tankers have access (lucky sods) to planned and developed battle scenes, with scale housing and scale infrastructure, or mini landscapes echoing the Ardennes, or, the mother-of all-battles: Kursk. There, I think it's appropriate to have 'abandoned' tank hulks, or those with serious battle damage; they can only add to serious wargaming. But if you want 'real' weathering you should model this:..I call it Sherman Oaks..(but not the L.A. district):