Tips for painting a tank?

[Lert]

One thing to keep in mind is to use light colors. Scale models give the appearance of far-off models, and colors tend to be washed out a bit when looking at the from further away, so it helps with the illusion. Also, weathering tends to darken colors, so that's another reason to use lighter tones. Unfortunately that's not really an option when using pre-mixed rattle cans, but you might be able to get a shade lighter than what you want the end result to be.

[c.rainford73]

Ashman take your time, dont get discouraged if something doesn't initially turn out as you expect it to. I usually draw an example of what I want to achieve, use it as a guide and then using a large piece of paper or cardboard I do some samples and test my paint. Believe it or not I started out using rattle cans and now airbrush like many others do. A cheap airbrush kit from Harbor Freight would make a great starter kit for you. My panther ( currently on the forum) many other tanks have been painted on the forum are a result of using this cheap airbrush set. It's on my workbench in many videos

Dont be afraid to make mistakes, take chances..... simple tests will have you painting like an expert in a short time.

Carl

[AshMann]

Ashman take your time, dont get discouraged if something doesn't initially turn out as you expect it to. I usually draw an example of what I want to achieve, use it as a guide and then using a large piece of paper or cardboard I do some samples and test my paint. Believe it or not I started out using rattle cans and now airbrush like many others do. A cheap airbrush kit from Harbor Freight would make a great starter kit for you. My panther ( currently on the forum) many other tanks have been painted on the forum are a result of using this cheap airbrush set. It's on my workbench in many videos

Dont be afraid to make mistakes, take chances..... simple tests will have you painting like an expert in a short time.

Carl

Thanks for the advice, man. I'll keep this in mind when I start my build

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning,
Don't be afraid of using the Hairy Stick in conjunction with those excellent Tamiya rattle cans. ( Model Masters is also an excellent source of very good colors for rattlecans ) The 'Palace' here had the base coat done with Tamiya Primer and Model Masters Desert Yellow from a rattle can. The Rottbraun and OliveGrun were added freehand with oil paint brushes. Lots can be done with a pattern to follow and a steady hand.
regards and have fun which ever route you choose.
Painless

[VVhitesnake]

Hi Guys !

Good to know all the tips and tricks here, following this post !

[RobW]

The other trick is to start simple: so T34 or Sherman as they're green.... It's also hard to get the wrong green as 4BO and US Olive Drab vary somewhat! The Coolbank M5 is another "easy" one to paint: it's cheap, small and green. Or Crusader, again, cheap, fairly small and sand (or British green).

For spray painting, practice on some styrene sheet first. If you get too close you can get bubbles in the finished paint or put too much on. I do own an airbrush, and after about 10 years might even get it out of the box.

A watered down wash also brings out details, so consider a single colour and a wash. Hence starting simple with green.

[Jofaur86]

Hello, very interesting post, because I personally have a JDT to paint, and I keep putting it off, as it's one of the things I find most difficult to do. I use Tamiya spray cans. I managed to paint my Sherman, but since it's a single color, no problem. I also read this post carefully. Thank you.