RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hi I got question about painting on unpainted parts.

I was about to think getting heng long's 1/16 Panzer IV (F2 Type) *Grey. But I'd always wonder that I'll might get the armor side kit *Schurzen (Metal side, 3d printed turret side cover) but they're unpainted.
Would be Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Primer Spray Flat Grey matches to the Factory Color? (As I'm from Australia) or just an usual 27 SEA GRAY from Humbrol and any Alternative brand that is same that comes with spray? (So Which one is better for easy to apply? Spray or just touch up paint? -Might need buy paint brush for it.)
And it's possible if it's same color as the Heng Long's Tiger I grey for the Metal Wheel?



Thanks.

If you are planning on using a spray bomb why not do the whole tank. I found Vallejo Hobby Paint AFV 28002 Dunkelgrau 400ml can to be a far more accurate shade than the unpainted HL grey plastic and it is such a small tank that you would still have enough left in the can to do any Schurzen you decide to put on later.

The rustoleum gray primer (at least the stuff here in Canada), is a pretty light shade of gray, and will not be close to the weird blue-gray on HL tanks. I doubt you'll find anything that's an exact match so doing a full repaint is easiest, and not such a bad ordeal.
See what you can find that's close to what you want if historical accuracy isn't paramount. You can even use a gloss, just use a matte clear finish coat (assuming paint compatability).

Mike.

Plus by the time the side Schurzen were introduced the order to base coat in Dunklegelb was well in force.
The turret armour was first followed by the lower .
That was the case for both III and IV Panzers .
Won’t find grey Schurzen so easy enough to use a TS 3 spray can to cover the lot then go from there

I concur: go for a complete repaint in Dunkelgelb (literally "dark yellow"). Yes there were variations of Dunkelgelb after it was the standard for all German WWII armor and other equipment. But if you stick to one brand for the whole tank and Schürzen (e.g. Tamiya TS-3) you can't lose. What is more, if later you want to try a camouflage paint job, you will be all set.

Panzermechaniker wrote: ↑Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:18 pm If you are planning on using a spray bomb why not do the whole tank. I found Vallejo Hobby Paint AFV 28002 Dunkelgrau 400ml can to be a far more accurate shade than the unpainted HL grey plastic and it is such a small tank that you would still have enough left in the can to do any Schurzen you decide to put on later.

Sounds like big job. Does it required to have all parts and details to be remove to spray paint each of those parts?

Well that's the trick ain't it...

Coming from someone else who started modding and painting in this hobby without an airbrush I can relate.

So the Heng Long grey is more of a light blue and I've not seen anything that will color match come out of a spray can. Definitely not Rustoleum. And I use Rustoleum so that's not knocking it.

Here Is how I'd look at it though. If the paint and finish was good on the tank I'd look to color match but me personally the blue/grey that you are talking about is definitely lacking and I'd rather do a full repaint of the tank and any new pieces. The true Dunkelgrau/Dark Grey if that's the color you are looking at is quite dark almost black.

Tamiya Sells TS4 as their "German Grey" but it's quite light compared to true dunkelgrau. But I've used it and you may like it especially for convenience.

Here's a pic of it used on one of my tanks.


If you plan to paint the metal parts like wheels and tracks it's a very good idea to first spray a primer good for metal even a self etching primer.

Panzermechaniker wrote: ↑Thu Nov 13, 2025 5:18 pm If you are planning on using a spray bomb why not do the whole tank. I found Vallejo Hobby Paint AFV 28002 Dunkelgrau 400ml can to be a far more accurate shade than the unpainted HL grey plastic and it is such a small tank that you would still have enough left in the can to do any Schurzen you decide to put on later.

brucektrain wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 2:47 am Sounds like big job. Does it required to have all parts and details to be remove to spray paint each of those parts?

Accessories? Yes it's a good idea to remove and paint them separately.. You have the option to remove wheels and such. Tracks are a definite remove and paint a different color.

HERMAN BIX wrote: ↑Thu Nov 13, 2025 7:20 pm Plus by the time the side Schurzen were introduced the order to base coat in Dunklegelb was well in force.
The turret armour was first followed by the lower .
That was the case for both III and IV Panzers .
Won’t find grey Schurzen so easy enough to use a TS 3 spray can to cover the lot then go from there

Ayup. But I was never a fan of TS3. Every time I used it I thought it looked greenish and too dark.

MrChef wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 3:08 am Well that's the trick ain't it...

Coming from someone else who started modding and painting in this hobby without an airbrush I can relate.

So the Heng Long grey is more of a light blue and I've not seen anything that will color match come out of a spray can. Definitely not Rustoleum. And I use Rustoleum so that's not knocking it.

Here Is how I'd look at it though. If the paint and finish was good on the tank I'd look to color match but me personally the blue/grey that you are talking about is definitely lacking and I'd rather do a full repaint of the tank and any new pieces. The true Dunkelgrau/Dark Grey if that's the color you are looking at is quite dark almost black.

Tamiya Sells TS4 as their "German Grey" but it's quite light compared to true dunkelgrau. But I've used it and you may like it especially for convenience.

Here's a pic of it used on one of my tanks.

If you plan to paint the metal parts like wheels and tracks it's a very good idea to first spray a primer good for metal even a self etching primer.

Interesting. Isn't Rustoleum is primer spray so i can apply as primer and then use TS4 Germen Grey for the metal parts?

And Nice Lovely photo of your tank.

MrChef wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 3:08 am

brucektrain wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 2:47 am Sounds like big job. Does it required to have all parts and details to be remove to spray paint each of those parts?

Accessories? Yes it's a good idea to remove and paint them separately.. You have the option to remove wheels and such. Tracks are a definite remove and paint a different color.

I'll go get TS4 Paint. But I can't really do re-spray my tiger I since it's already had their decals on. (Metal Track is already came black. but the Wheel and idler (not the wheels with tires) are unpainted. But Surely would try repaint the Panzer IV. Sound like interesting project to start with.
And what sort of primer for the metal parts should i go? Rust-Oleum Grey?
And any Tip or Tricks for Beginner?

When I'd get the tank, Would it more easier just repaint the details parts while it's still in the sheet? (before being cutted)

brucektrain wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 3:17 am Interesting. Isn't Rustoleum is primer spray so i can apply as primer and then use TS4 Germen Grey for the metal parts?

Sure.

I use this dark grey Rustoleum automotive primer now. Works great on Metal, plastic and fiberglass. I particularly like it on metal tracks. It's literally the same color as Tamiya Nato black and was $4.99 on sale. And FYI Tamiya spray can paints are lacquer. Lacquer paints form a chemical bond with plastic. So if it was raw plastic theres a benefit.

brucektrain wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 3:17 am And Nice Lovely photo of your tank.

Thank you.

But don't encourage me, I'm an attention whore and I have ALOT of pics to share