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The details are now to be painted, all being done with Vallejo model colours, starting with the exhaust pipe. Spots of brown and black were applied in a random manner all over the surface using Vallejo paints. When this was dry the process was done again with orange and a different brown and by now it looks pretty awful but the next stage is to add Mig pigments in various rust shades in a dry state. When the pigments are added and look as if it is right a wetting agent is added, in this case Mig pigment fixer, which will hold the pigment in place once it has dried out. Using this product you will have to be sure of the finished result as once dry it is near impossible to remove. Black was then applied to the exit hole to replicate the exhaust stains.
The right hand net and tarpaulins were next, the top brown tarp had the recesses painted with a wash of a very dark brown mix to show the shadow and when dry a lighter shade was used to give a very light dry-brushing. The net was washed with a dark green which was thinner with water and a drop of washing up liquid added to break the surface tension. Again a light dry brush of a lighter green was then applied after the shadow wash had dried. The final sheet was done in the same manner with the relevant colours. The pick axe on the top was had the steel part painted with a mix of oily steel and black. The handle was then given a coat of a brown oil paint. I left this to dry and found it was too bright, so using a brush dampened with thinner, some of the oil paint was removed.
The tarps and tools on the left hand side were painted in the same manner. Moving on to the rear deck, the tow cable was painted in a rust colour which had been diluted to about a 50/50 mix with water. When dry the cable was dry-brushed with oily steel. This gives the impression of a used worn cable.
The tracks were now painted with a dark chocolate brown, as the tracks were installed, care was needed as this was coloured. When dry a wash of black was applied all over the tracks which when dry look a little stark. Fear not as the final stage will be to apply pigments and a further wash with a brown colour to tone it down. On the right rear fender is mounted some spare track links which were painted with the same paint as used on the fitted track run.
The turret periscopes were painted with Vallejo periscope colour and when this had hardened it was covered with two coats of gloss varnish.
Mig oil paints Abteilung Black 110, white 001, faded grey 100 and faded blue 030 were squeezed out onto a small bit of cardboard. This was left for the oil in the paint to be absorbed into the cardboard. Small amounts of this paint were then picked up with a 000 brush and dots were put on the surface of the hull and turret. This was then blended in circular motion on horizontal surfaces and pulled down from top to bottom on vertical surfaces. Try to not blend the colours too much into one another as the idea is to put a thin sheen of differing colours to add variation and interest. Lighter colours were used higher up on the vehicle while the darker ones were used on lower parts to help reinforce the light and shade effect. Some rust colour was thinly applied to the horizontal fender surfaces and down the sides of the glacis plate.
Once all these items had dried a black wash was applied to the fender stiffeners, front panel and the front glacis plate. This is only the first wash stage as the main pin wash will follow a later stage.
