airbrush or brush?

[SargeV1]

Hi guys this will be my first time to model in 1/16th scale.

My question is would it be better to airbrush or is it possiable to do a tank of this scale with a brush. I understand when it comes to weathering etc a brush is the way to go but for doing the main paint job what would be the best approach.

Thx Brendan.

[Max-U52]

Definitely airbrush for large areas. Even one of the rattle cans from Tamiya or Testors will give good results, better than most can achieve with a brush. There are guys who can make the brush really put out top grade work, but for most average Joes the airbrush makes life much, much easier. Of all the tools I have, the Xacto knife and the Iwata airbrush are tied for "can NOT live without".

[jarndice]

Brendan,
Preparation is everything.
If you are using acrylics then the first thing to do is to wipe over anything you are about to paint with a lint free cloth soaked in acrylic thinners, this gets off any grease and loose bits,
If you have any metal which is getting painted at the same time you should paint that using metal primer,
I paint the major assemblies such as a properly masked hull and body and turret with an acrylic primer using a RATTLE CAN from a car spares shop,
SIMONIZ do a nice red which matches the primer used on German military vehicles of WW2, You can get a big can for a 1/4 the price of a hobby paint primer and get exactly the same result.
I change the spray nozzle for one from a TAMIYA Rattle can to get a finer spray.
if you are fitting tools, tow ropes, etc then these should be painted separately and fitted after the final coat goes on,
I paint wheels off the hull and fit them later,
The paint should be applied using many thin coats rather than trying to do it in one or two passes and it should be painted and allowed to dry in a warm dust free area, The top coats can be applied using an airbrush, but with care, and making sure you have enough of them a good result can be gotten from Rattle cans, when you have applied the decals you would do yourself a favour by applying a coat of clear matte varnish.
Shaun.

[SargeV1]

Thx guys for your input and thank you Shaun for all of your advice would deffinatly agree with the lint free cloth and thinners to clean the model. I appreciate your post thank you for your help.

Brendan.

[ALPHA]

Either is good IMO...But for brush application it would depend on your skill ...Painless Wolf has used the Hairy stick on almost all his builds...and early on so have I....But I have a project that will definitely require an airbrush...so broke my kit out...and haven't stopped using it since

It really depends on what kind of finish you want...Remember it's a Tank....so it doesn't have to be pretty

Good Luck

ALPHA

[SargeV1]

Hi Alpha thank you for your input I hear what your saying about it been a tank, I want to get a realistic look not like its just come out of a showroom I ve just never worked on a scale of this size before do its a new territory for me.

Brendan.

[ALPHA]

Hi Alpha thank you for your input I hear what your saying about it been a tank, I want to get a realistic look not like its just come out of a showroom I ve just never worked on a scale of this size before do its a new territory for me.

Brendan.

No Problem Sarge ...It's all about technique and brush choice in this scale....when I did mine with brush...I would do an initial cover with a large brush then follow with a medium ...drying each layer quickly with a hot/cold blast hair dryer ...you will get less stroke marks that way...on mine you can't really tell...others have problems...but I guess they just don't know the tricks

With that said...if you have both...use the airbrush..it's a lot faster ...and you will save on paint usage ...if not..go with what you got...you can always go back and refine what you've done when you do have the airbrush handy


ALPHA

PS. You should really take a look at some of Painless's work..did a fantastic Hairy stick job on his Stug III build

[SargeV1]

Thanks Alpha, when i did 1/6th scale motorcycles and 1/24th scale aircraft I eventually learned how to brush without showing the brush strokes. Most people thought i airbrushed them so i was well pleased ? Thx again.

Brendan a.k.a SargeV1.

[ALPHA]

Thanks Alpha, when i did 1/6th scale motorcycles and 1/24th scale aircraft I eventually learned how to brush without showing the brush strokes. Most people thought i airbrushed them so i was well pleased ? Thx again.

Brendan a.k.a SargeV1.

That settles it then lol ....Sounds like you have mastered your brush techniques and should have no problem with painting a tank

Good Luck with your paint job...hope to see some photos soon


ALPHA

[SargeV1]

Well Alpha to be honest iam getting as much info first before I purchase my tank so nothing soon But you can bet your cotton socks I will certainly share my pics with all to see it will be interesting to get objective feed back ftom all you pro's