Painting Tools Fixed to the Hull

[TouchConnors]

Hello.

I love my RC tanks, but they really need better paint. I'm not really a modeler but have found a decent amount of general methods/tips online. I also got a decent air brush set-up.

As for painting the tools, I've seen them painted off the hull, but on at least some of my tanks* they're glued or otherwise secured.

What the best way to remove the tools or the best technique for paint the tools while secured to the tank?

Thanks!


*I've got Taigen, Heng Long and Hooben.

[jarndice]

If you have Heng Long Tanks then you will have noticed that unlike Taigen/Torro the tools and other fittings are on a sprue to be fitted at your disgression whereas the Taigen/Torro tools and fittings are moulded onto the Tank,
This is just one more reason why I buy Heng Long Tank Bodies and Turrets and Taigen/Torro Metal Hulls,
I have a choice of using aftermarket tools and fittings and in either case I can detail these bits and pieces off the Tank only fitting them when I have finished work on the rest of the vehicle PLUS with the Taigen/Torro metal hull I get a quick release and decent Torsion bar suspension.

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
Jarndice has the right of it, especially if your Armor is new and being assembled piecemeal like most of us hereabouts prefer. If you have an upper which is older and has tools attached or one of the mentioned types like Taigen, first look and see if the tools are molded on or glued. If glued, they may be careful removed by use of products that de-cure Super Glue ( or whatever the factories are using ). If molded on, they can either be removed by sanding or a razor saw and new after market tools painted and mounted or you can spend some time ( as I have done on several builds ) and give the tools a 3D appearance by undercutting with scribing blades and other tools used for working with resin and plastic. After this step is done, careful painting yields a very satisfactory result. Whatever route you take, post Pics of your progress for the Forum to follow along on.
regards,
Painless

An example of cleaning up and painting molded on tools and gear

Funker Operator catching the breeze from 22 tons in motion.jpg (113.46 KiB) Viewed 529 times

Another example from the same Build

Woodgrain on plastic.jpg (171.37 KiB) Viewed 529 times

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I have a number of Taigen tanks on which, for no apparent reason, some of the tools are relief cast. I use Painless's method for those, with seven-power magnifying lenses of the sort that strap around my noggin. Five power may be enough for you. These are available from hobby stores, online hobby stores, and online shooping sites.

[TouchConnors]

Thanks for the tips, that's definitely helpful.