Welcome back to the blog! In today's posting I will be providing my overall sequence for painting, weathering and finishing a 1/35 scale model. Of course this could be used in any scale that you may be working in. Now, this is the way I do it and by no means is this the written law of scale modeling painting and finishing. The images at the bottom show a completed DKW NZ350 using these steps (minus it being attached to a base- still in progress).
Primer Coat
Let dry 24 hours
Pre-Shading (Black, Dark grey, Dark Brown, etc.- applied to areas of “dark shadow”- Acrylic)
Let dry 24 hours
Base Coat (Acrylic)
Let dry 24 hours
Modulation (Lighter Shades on center of panels, etc.- Acrylic)
Highlight (Detail Points/ High Points- Acrylic)
Using a very light color of the base color
Detail Painting (Tools, Painted Markings, Dry Transfers, etc.- Acrylic)
Protection Layer (Gloss)
Only if applying waterslide decals
Skip to Step 9 if not applying decals or if the markings are painted on.
Decals (Micro Sol/ Micro Set)
Protection Layer (Satin/ Semi-Gloss)
Filter (using pre-mixed filter- enamel or diluted oil color)
Apply over entire vehicle
Let dry 24 hours
Oil Dot Filters (Oil Paint Rendering- “The Rinaldi Method”)
Sides- streaking/ stippling- pulling dots down; pointed motion
Top- stumping/ stippling- circular motion; pointed motion
Let dry at least 48-72 hours
Dark Wash/ Pin Wash (using pre-mixed enamel wash or diluted oil color)
Hitting all weld seams and crevices, around tool clamps, lights, etc.
Chipping (Acrylic)
Initial painted chips using lighter base color
Then use a darker color (ie: German Camo Black Brown) inside the lighter chips
Rust Tones (Over Chipping) (Acrylic)
Apply a small rusty tone to the top of the darker color chips- randomly, not all the chips
Let dry 24 hours
Speckling Part 1 (applying small spots)
Use the colored filter, rust wash, colored pigments and thinner- mixed; applied with a stencil brush
Let dry 24 hours
Apply rust tones to exhaust areas- as needed
Paint initial rust color onto base painted exhausts (optional chipping method can be used)
Apply pigments/ sealer over painted exhausts
Rust Streaks
If needed based on vehicle age, location, etc.
Let dry 24 hours
Earth Effects (Dust, Mud, etc.)
Use based on location
Ensure proper color/ consistency based on diorama products used- MUST MATCH EXACTLY
Tracks (If vehicle uses them)
Install after initial Earth Effects are applied- (pre-paint the tracks at Step 3)
Rain Streaks (As needed)
Let dry 24 hours
Final Protection Layer (Flat)
Let dry 24 hours
Dry Earth Effects (Pigments)
Use only if needed based on vehicle location
Speckling Part 2 (applying more small spots)
Use Earth Tones and thinner- mixed; applied with a stencil brush
Damp Earth Tones (Pigments, etc.)
Use only if needed based on vehicle location
Exhaust Effects/ Soot
Apply black pigments to tips of exhaust, areas where exhaust escapes
Tracks (Installed in Step 18)
Final Weathering (if needed to tie in diorama colors after final protection layer)
Oil and Fuel Stains
Applied sparingly as to not overdo the effect
Let Model Dry Before Attaching to Base
24-48 hours drying time is best
