Ok so I'll set the stage first I took this perfectly good happy little T34-85 and decided that winter whitewash camo wasn't gonna cut it anymore this summer season. Plus I had used it as a mule to practice with winter whitewash camouflage for my Winter Group Tiger I-822. So I felt it was time to give it some love.
So you may remember-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/BAjHZ7E.jpg)
Time to strip her down and get ready-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/2Piizw9.jpg)
I did Not use my regular methods of removing all the paint and weathering. After much elbow grease, scrubbing and work I got most of it off-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/ZaRjBv2.jpg)
At this point I used Tamiya airbrush cleaner with a short trimmed epoxy brush and stippled any of the surface that wouldn't have been smooth. On the T34 that's just about every surface which is lucky. This reset the surface and removed any traces of left over stubborn paint-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/1AbtU9V.jpg)
Ironically the applied Heng Long decals were some of the most tenacious that I've ever had the pleasure of melting.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/w9atELW.jpg)
I'm not going to spend a lot of time here. This is where I did armor texturing with Tamiya putty and Tamiya putty diluted with Tamiya airbrush cleaner. Suffice to say I have a few less brain cells.
Ok fast forward to the primer coat. I'm a simple guy I use economical effective paints. Besides the texture and surface of the T34 wouldn't appreciate anything nice anyway-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/2KI0sZG.jpg)
I chose the black only because it was a full can I had. Coulda been pink for all I care.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/kt8d3v2.jpg)
I looked at a bunch of spray paints. I already knew I was going to mess with oils so I figured I'd get something robust and cheap, Perfect for a Russian T34-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/t2tBOqi.jpg)
$5.79 at Walmart and it's a Green that I think I can work with.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/MVYZllG.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/VYFFd6Z.jpg)
Thats the painted Heng Long sprue in the sunlight for comparison.
Anyway here is the oil paints I picked up from Michael's craft store mostly on sale from $5.99-$7.99-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/HvVugUC.jpg?1)
A big thing with oils is a little goes a looooonnnng way.
Here's some brushes and the thinner I use which I strongly suggest splurging on the artists odorless mineral spirits instead of the cheap stuff from Home Depot. It's much less harsh, does a better job overall as it evaporates quicker and is almost truly odorless unlike the cheap stuff which resembles refined diesel which linger, smell and just aren't as friendly to use-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/OgVk8zl.jpg)
Here's how to set the paint up with on a cardboard pallet to leach out the oils. They suggest a few hours before use. I usually st it up the night before. This way the paint/pigment is ready when I am to use and will blend nicely and can be coaxed to dry quickly.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/FkVZYOq.jpg)
I will usually give the oil paint about 8 hours to leach. Then after use, I cover with plastic wrap and it lasts about 5-7 days. Depending on the colors some dry much quicker than others. Most of the colors I use dry fully when applied in thin layers or thinned with mineral spirits as the carrier between 3-5 days. Then it's safe to clear coat.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/1sWrcH4.jpg)
This is applying an oil dot filter.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/F84J7NU.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/jaqKEFC.jpg)
This is a comparison of the lower hull with the oil dot filter applied and the turret still just painted the Rustoleum Camo Deep Forest Green-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/227mgcj.jpg)
Upper Hull and Turret pseudo-simpatico-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/dvVYCG4.jpg)
So, after much more casual blending, highlighting, etc.
Mocked it up a bit for some pics. It's far from done but thought I'd share how it's coming along-
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/a0ksV4p.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/cTcG8Z1.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/zvj5JPR.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/qhYDLKQ.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/BLsTuIR.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/q2yGYRX.jpg)
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/Q8yc81h.jpg)
Annnnd the blending and adjusting continues. Soon enough it'll be ready for clear coat, numbers, washes and weathering.
Just thought I'd share working with Oil Paints. I have much to learn and practice but it's so much fun to work with I hardly have an issue with that.