Panzer III painting / Techniques

[tutu876]

Hey guys, just bought some Panzer III's and then realized that i have NO idea on how to paint them, I don't intend on getting an Airbrush (very expensive + I rarely use them). So i was wondering, how the flippers do i paint them with a normal brush and get a good result? Any tips are welcome!

Thanks,
Arthur

[Fbminis]

Prime them with spray, buy a good shade of the overall color and paint it in thin layers with a flat brush. Then paint the details with small round brushed, seal everything with floor wax (like Pledge) and give the tank a wash of burnt umber oil paint diluted with white spirit. Wait to dry overnight or a couple of days before you spray it with a matt varnish. Vallejo paints are really good, and so are their primers and spray varnishes. Btw, I think it would be a good idea to use white primer, which is easier to cover than grey or black primer (dont use black primer under light colour).

[musketier]

I spray prime the model first then apply basecoat with a brush and for the camo patterns sometimes depending on type I want to represent I use a Q-tip (cotton swab) dipped in paint, wiping off excess and dab it on, using the clean side of swab to wipe in excess. You can add a wash if desired or you can take a dry brush and some ground up pastels/chalk and brush that on for some added effects, then seal it with your favorite sealer and there you have it a finished AFV.

[tutu876]

Thanks, but can you elaborate on why the floor wax? seems a little overkill doesn't it, it already uses varnish...

[Bramble15]

I will speak of the floor wax from my own experience. The assumption would be that you would be applying decals. Flat paint when applied actually is one ridge after another. The floor wax creates a smooth level surface for the decal to adhere to. Since it is level you basically are preventing the decals from silvering underneath. Once the decals are dried a top coat of flat then seals the paint and decal.

[tutu876]

Makes sense, now i just gotta buy all this sh*t and the decals,

Thanks,
Arthur

[Fbminis]

I use the floor wax as gloss varnish since it's cheaper, cleans better and smells nicer. I use it as sealer before oils washes or decal work but I've also dipped canopies in it. I used it to protect the wood finish and all over the sea and sub on the following photo: