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So I read around since I wanted a white army for my tau (yes white is crazy I know) with some red highlights. I found some good examples here:

http://warhammer-tau-army.blogspot.com/2009/09/lower-standards-faster-production.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A8bZUPrO8dk/SrHLa_q8DqI/AAAAAAAABI8/e7T4xyRG_iI/s1600-h/m480105a_2009-09-14_2_873x627.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A8bZUPrO8dk/SrHetQ9cMjI/AAAAAAAABJc/WrmBhJcnDi8/s1600-h/m480107a_2009-09-14_3_873x627.jpg

I started using the limited description for the look, white undercoat with very thinned down ink-like dark grey wash to give them a grimey look, and after a couple of practice fire warriors it looks pretty decent. Better than any pure white I have atempted anyway, and much more gritty. Pics later when I have time.

Anyway questions are does it look like on his he went over it again with white, and at least covered the flat areas again, because mine are much more grimey, his look clean on the flat areas at least. How would you highlight white grimey? Im guessing corners and edges pure white now that willl stand out, or leave those grimey and do the flat large areas pure white?

And that battle damage dosent look like it was sponged on, but I have never done damage with a sponge. Is there a commonly linked tutorial floating around like for greenstuff? Havent found it but mabye my search-fu is weak. On those they look hand painted, and there are quite a few. Looks to be simple blacking with boltgun metal on top to just about the edges. Anyone see any other common techniques I am missing? Some look like just straight painted boltgun on white.

side note: Do you think those collars are just thin plasticard curved, I like what they add to the suits overall look.

I would suggest starting with Vallejo Sky Grey. It is the whitest grey I have ever found.

The problem I have with white is there is so little contrast, however by using a very light gray you can achieve so much more.

The sky gray color is what I use for white when I need it on a model...

Ashton

Redfinger is correct
Start grey and build up to the white.
White armour would pick up colours and tones from what is around.

Get a white cloth and put it on a table and look carefully at the shadows and reflections.
What you perceive as being white may actually be grey any way.

hope that makes sense

I think he did go back and clean up the white some what. I think the scratched parts are simply codex grey, but I could be wrong. The trick to weathering is less is more. Its much better to have a small amount of convincing weathering than a crap ton that looks silly. Try to image places that would get worn very easily. So right around joints, place that contact the ground, places that open, the outlets of the jetpack. Also it looks like on his he picked one or two places to receive a big score, where they were possibly in battle with a tyranid warrior, or a power sword. One or two on each suit can be really effective.

Personally I love those collars and they are probably just plasticard.

Thanks for the quick responses. Ill have to put some pics up because I am actually pretty happy with the grimey look of spray white, dark grey ink for highlighting. looks very similar to the pics I linked, I guess im not an expert on highlighting so I am having trouble picking out what to highlight, the flat to pure white, or just the edges.

Well I finished painting him, and a squad of fire warriors. Now all I need is the rest of what makes an army, sigh. Wish I knew someone who wanted black templars but had tau to trade, id be set.