Another First - 1/35 CH2 TES.

[Waspie]

Who's paint are you using? I have used some of the 'model air' and others with a brush and to be frank my p.... was stronger and would have covered better.
I can only suggest a change of paint manufacturer or give the whole model a coat of thinned paint with the airbrush, allow to dry for a half hour and then if need be re coat untill you are happy. Let this dry for 24 hours. Then a coat of satin or gloss, and then a wash of thin oil paint either black or Burnt Umber (brown). This will tone down the top coat and once dry then you can go to work with the pigments.
Do not lose patience with this problem, it can be cured. I have as I said had this problem in the past and got over it.
Cheers
Mike.

Thanks for replying Mike. I initially thought I was using Vallejo but after checking today I find it is in fact Mig paint. (Brain isn't what it used to be - surprised I remember my name!!! Well - most of the time!!)

I did finish the second coat on the remainder of the vehicle and a third coat on the turret. (Pic below). Getting there but I still see brush marks on the pics although not with the naked eye!!

Hopefully tomorrow I will finish the 3rd coat on the whole thing then I will reassess and decide if a 4th coat brushed on or an airbrushed 4th coat!!! My choice right now is a brushed 4th coat, simply as an experiment as to how it turns out!!! We'll see!

[Waspie]

Hope you've all had a good Sunday. I feel I did as I managed two - yes two sessions with the CH2 today.

First was to complete the 3rd coat on the remainder of the tank!! Yippeee.

Next - decision time! To brush or not to brush, (a fourth coat). I chose - NOT to brush. Out airbrush. Mixed up my paint and added a couple of drops extra of water. Was pleased with the test spread so continued to spray the whole tank. It did exactly what Mike said it would. Covered up all the brush marks and weak areas. Paint went on really well, nice spread covered really better than expected. I was quite pleased with the result. (Especially as by airbrush is at the bottom end of the market). I'll you all be the judges on that!!

Pics below. (Plus a couple I played around with)!!
Side armour still to be fitted.

Image I was messing with. Rear end of hull.





Hull and Turret without side armour (yet!)





Turret and hull together at last!!

Playing around again!! - Sorry!!


Getting closer to fitting the road wheels and side armour - then all the fiddly painting.
I did mess around with the 2 x 5 gallon containers. (Not that anyone will see it). Put some markings on both the water and fuel cans. Most people individually mark their own vehicles bits and pieces, I figured squaddies and their tanks wouldn't be any different. Nice to have a fine paint brush to attempt paint a few Regt/troop marking on the cans. (Truth is I had a few minutes to kill as the spraying went so well).

[Waspie]

Interesting day today. Started off pondering on what to do.
First, was fit the road wheels, easy peasy thanks to poly whatsit things!! Popped on a treat. Next was disappear and rob one of SWIMBO's cotton reels. Nato Green naturally!
Then! Place the tracks around the road wheels, ably assisted by a few pieces of tape, a pair of tweezers and some fiddling!

With the tracks in kinda the right place, SWIMBO's cotton reel came into play. With help from the tweezers, the tracks ends were pulled gently together to tighten things up a wee bit.
Next came the side armour, bit fiddly to be honest, they came away from the hull more than a few times. So out clamps. (I removed the ends as they only made the clamps jump into the air. Finally got them in place though with only a small amount of touching up needed!

Next was placing the two jerry cans in their stowage. Still need to fit the retaining bar!!I I also kept one sand coloured and the water can the usual black.

I also took time out to touch up the tracks, now the links were in position I noticed some paint missing in-between the individual links so remedied that. Whilst I was tinkering with paint I added black to the end of the barrel, well, both ends!!
The smoke dispenser caps were also painted.
Changed the needle in the airbrush to a 0.2 and played around with touching up a few places I missed and also the couple of places I messed up fitting the side armour.
By midday it looked like this;
Still a bit to do - then I'll start on reading up an weathering.

[Mini Me]

Yup, 'ats a tank alright! Fine looking beast Doug. :thumb2:

[Tim Marlow]

Looking good Doug.

[Guest]

also took time out to touch up the tracks, now the links were in position I noticed some paint missing in-between the individual links

That’s always one of the downsides of workable track … Even when you know you need to pay attention to this, you think you got paint all the way between them, and still you’ll notice unpainted bits when you put the track around the wheels A paint bath for them would be nice to have, but I can’t think of a way to do that both without obliterating all of the detail and wasting a ton of paint.

[Scratchbuilder]

Well done on the paint finish.
And do not worry about the low end airbrush, I now use a cheapie (NEDECO) with the top end ones in their boxes and in the drawer. Plus an old Badger for other work.
Now you have it all together it looks like any other model displayed by all of us, no different, in the finish or the workmanship and before we get to work with the weathering which is your next step. Take it steady and do not go overboard is the best rule.

[Scratchbuilder]

That’s always one of the downsides of workable track … Even when you know you need to pay attention to this, you think you got paint all the way between them, and still you’ll notice unpainted bits when you put the track around the wheels :sad: A paint bath for them would be nice to have, but I can’t think of a way to do that both without obliterating all of the detail and wasting a ton of paint.

We could do a track bath, but I think the length would be a problem. Good idea.

[David Lovell]

Great job so far Doug, dont know why you didn't use the airbrush in thr first place ,nothing wrong with what you've got ,you can have the most expensive set of golf clubs but it won't make you play any better ,once you get your head around thinning your paint and correct air pressure you've cracked it ,then the confidence factor kicks in. I use all my cheapo's more than my expensive one. Enjoy using it even when it goes wrong we've all been there and I still go there sometimes. Dave

[David Lovell]

Well done on the paint finish.
And do not worry about the low end airbrush, I now use a cheapie (NEDECO) with the top end ones in their boxes and in the drawer. Plus an old Badger for other work.
Now you have it all together it looks like any other model displayed by all of us, no different, in the finish or the workmanship and before we get to work with the weathering which is your next step. Take it steady and do not go overboard is the best rule.

Well said that man I enjoy using my cheepos they all work the same ,would have said love using but I suppose that might be considered a bit strange.

[Waspie]

Yup, 'ats a tank alright! Fine looking beast Doug. :thumb2:

Thanks Rick, I feel happy now it's progressed to the point it actually looks like what it's meant to be! A plus for me!!

Looking good Doug.

Thanks Tim.

That’s always one of the downsides of workable track … Even when you know you need to pay attention to this, you think you got paint all the way between them, and still you’ll notice unpainted bits when you put the track around the wheels :sad: A paint bath for them would be nice to have, but I can’t think of a way to do that both without obliterating all of the detail and wasting a ton of paint.

No arguments from me Jakko. I did some more track painting today!! The end of a pin here and the odd bit of uncovered plastic there!! I'd love to say I've got it all but I bet something will jump out at me next time I look at it! Nature of the beast I'm learning!

Well done on the paint finish.
And do not worry about the low end airbrush, I now use a cheapie (NEDECO) with the top end ones in their boxes and in the drawer. Plus an old Badger for other work.
Now you have it all together it looks like any other model displayed by all of us, no different, in the finish or the workmanship and before we get to work with the weathering which is your next step. Take it steady and do not go overboard is the best rule.

Mike, I took your advice and sprayed the 4th coat. Glad I did, a way better result.
No, I'm not bothered about the airbrush. I seem to be getting the mixes right with the paint so it's going on better.

Great job so far Doug, dont know why you didn't use the airbrush in thr first place ,nothing wrong with what you've got ,you can have the most expensive set of golf clubs but it won't make you play any better ,once you get your head around thinning your paint and correct air pressure you've cracked it ,then the confidence factor kicks in. I use all my cheapo's more than my expensive one. Enjoy using it even when it goes wrong we've all been there and I still go there sometimes. Dave

David. I decided against using the airbrush initially as this is only my second kit for a vast number of years and wanted to have a go with a normal hairy brush. I think with acrylics, the airbrush is the better option for me until my experience gains pace.
I can't complain about the airbrush really, it cost me nothing and to date is giving me pretty good result. (Other than the primer - which I'm sure was due to the polyurethane part of it. Made it thicker and gooier!!!

Thank you all for looking in and giving me encouragement. It has helped - trust me. I went through a stage where I thought maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew but a few wise words from you guys and I worked through my doubts. After all, it's only plastic, glue and a bit of colour!!!!!!

I'll post today progress a wee bit later. I had a little dabble with colours!!!!

[scottie3158]

Doug,
Just had a good catch up. That is looking very nice indeed mate.

[Jim R]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that paint job Doug. Looks fine.

[Waspie]

Doug,
Just had a good catch up. That is looking very nice indeed mate.

Cheers Paul.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that paint job Doug. Looks fine.

Thank you Jim. Got there in the end, it was looking pretty dire earlier on though.

OK then, todays progress. very little as far as looks are concerned but I was busy for much of the day.
It was all a bit of a muddle really with no real plan. Put an initial sand colour on the electronics platform. Then fitted the rear end cage pieces. That was a little bit time consuming as I has sprayed all the attachment points, so I scrapped off the paint to expose the plastic, then glued and attached the parts. It was then after checking the plans I noticed I had omitted to fit a small piece! So more scrapping so as to fit that.

Then!!!!! Sitting wondering when my tea was going to be delivered, (only to find it wasn't - so she's sacked). I decided to paint the tow cables. However, I didn't have the right paint! But I did have some gun metal and also some silver. Mixed a little in equal proportions. Looked good so I used it to paint the two tow cables. I was quite pleased with the result, later on, I applied a small amount of liquid rust courtesy of Model Air.

As I touched on earlier, applied paint to the parts of the track I thought in need. Then realised I hadn't painted the two track sections fixed to the rear of the hull. Now done, rubber blocks and metal parts!

The orange lights on the front of the vehicle were now fitted, I used PVA more as an experiment than anything. I observed PVA takes a considerable time to harden so wrote a note reminding me to liquid mask them!! I just know if I didn't I would spray over them inadvertently!!

Bit more touching up of green, cages at rear from where they came off the sprue and the off nook that I noticed.

Like I said; a lot of nothing but it filled the day.

Pic time!! (Only two.)

Newly painted cables, transparent lights. I did forget to mention I painted the rubber front mudguard and also added a mix of dark black/grey to the rubber on the hull behind the turret!! Come on? Someone will know what it's called, (I don't).


Experimented with a bit of dirt around the exhausts, as you see the rear cages fitted.

Here endeth todays session!!
Thank you one and all for helping me along.

Edited to add, closer image of the cable!!

[Scratchbuilder]

Those rubber stops are to stop the barrel bouncing on the engine deck and putting the barrel out of true allignment. Bit of a pig zeroing in the barrel again.
Keep the good work coming.