Challenge: Pimping a Heng Long PzIV in 1 day! :-)

[Marco Peter]

I showed a friend of mine a recent purchase: a second-hand HL PzIV, fully operational but missing a flashhider and one wheel. Stock HL, real bargain at €30,-/25GBP.

Jokingly I said it would be interesting to see how far I could 'pimp' it in one day, painting and weathering and everything! He took me up for the challenge, and before I knew it I got my hands dirty... It was 12:30 in the afternoon at that time. Let me show you some pictures of what I did in the next 11 hours, 'running and gunning' using 'quick and dirty' methods!



Maybe (well, surely!) not the best job I ever did but it was fun, interesting and challenging to do! And I am pretty pleased with the result.

[Marco Peter]

I started removing all the ugly Heng Long decals.


Tracks off, as well as all the tools and loose parts


Filled up holes with Milliput


It's easier to paint the roadwheels afterwards


Tracks covered with a quick layer of brown Krylon to cover that plasticcy black


Used a brush to show some 'bare metal' using AK product 'True Metal'
Here the three steps of the process compared

I will keep updating this thread, I have more pictures waiting.

[Model Builder 4]

Hi Marco,

Time challenge or not it looks 10x better than when you started like the bicycle on the rear, did you make it or buy it ?

Cheers, Lee

[Marco Peter]

Time challenge or not it looks 10x better than when you started like the bicycle on the rear, did you make it or buy it ?

Thanks! As far as I know this bicycle is 1:18 scale and from Shapeways. I didn't order it myself but acquired it in an earlier purchase from a fellow tanker.

[Marco Peter]

I chose Panzer Grey for this build.


I tried Tamiya XF-63 for a first time, mixed 1:1 with their acrylic thinner.



I was really, really happy with the shade!


I always dislike the shiny finish of the plastic roadwheels, so I use a matte black (or actually more like a very dark gray) paint from Revell to paint them with a brush.

[Soeren]

That is a great result for a "one-day" approach

[c.rainford73]

Agreed that one day challenge you have set forth is a very interesting and creative approach

[Marco Peter]

Agreed that one day challenge you have set forth is a very interesting and creative approach

Haha maybe more of us can come up with one!

I see there is a lot left to do on this one, better mud, currently it has no streaks or such, etc., but it's cool to see how far we can come in one day!

[Marco Peter]

That is a great result for a "one-day" approach

Dankjewel!

[Marco Peter]

Time for a lot of varnish!


Some Vallejo Rust Texture for the exhaust

And added some decals


First setback: the wash was taking off the paint...
I guess a speed-build is not very good for paint-drying-times.
Using a paper towel didn't help either


I tried it again after more varnish, dilluted the wash a lot more... Worked fine!