Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

so I have lots of leman russ tanks especially battle tanks (dissappointed about the FAQ on lumbering behemoth). But I still want my tanks to look great and as i look through the rule book for 40k i really like the weathering and little scratches all over the tanks even the little rust looking stuff coming down from some of the bolts. but i am new too really painting well and i really only use citadel paints and was wondering if you guys could give me tips or help me. Most of my tanks i used the textured mud paint on my tanks treads as my imperial guard cadians have mud bases like they are trudging through no mans land. but thats about it. ive painted little scratches here and there but i dont seem to get the same look gw had or better. what can i do? some people say use the stippling brush, how would i use that? i also did one really good battle damage when i heated a nail and scratched the side of a russ and painted over it and i thought it was the best i had done so im not afraid of a lil real battle damage either. so what could dakka help me with to get my tanks loking badass. links or tutorials could help, thanks!!!!!

1. Go to your local Hobby type shop - (Hobby Town USA, etc) - find a book by Shepard Paine called :"How to Paint Military Models", purchase said book, read, and follow suggestions.

2. Find pictures of tanks online and look at them -

3. Always make sure your mud/dirt, etc covers the entire tank, cause mud and especially sand will get everywhere, and no matter how hard you clean it, you always miss something.

4. Visit your local construction sites and look at the vehicles there - they will give you a good idea of how dirt distributes itself on tracked and wheeled heavy equipment.

Mud (toward the end of the video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLLIzv3AK6o&feature=plcp

Paint chipping effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4yrqR4Jw8E&feature=plcp

Paint scratches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDF4s27v-jM&feature=plcp

Hairspray weathering: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Frr8dnBKXk

More hairspray weathering techniques: http://www.youtube.com/user/GirlPainting/videos?query=hairspray

Rust streaks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBe8siSbK-0

I have pretty much been looking for techniques like those forever lol. Very helpful and thankyou! The chipped paint was very helpful as well as the mud.

I'm going to have to look up that book. My IG tanks are far too clean. I hope they have something about snow and mud.

The Imperial Armour Masterclass book from Forgeworld has lots of good weathering techniques as well.

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Modelling-Supplies/IMPERIAL-ARMOUR-MODEL-MASTERCLASS-VOLUME-ONE.html

@ Valhalla130 - there is.

@AllSeeingSkink - Shep Paines book is about 15-20 bucks, not 40-50 like the GW one.

Yeah, I know, but I haven't read Shep Paines' book so I can't really recommend it, I can recommend the Forgeworld though

I don't know whether Shep Paines' book has much the same stuff as the FW books, I just really liked the way FW weather their vehicles, especially for IG vehicles (maybe not so much for SM vehicles or other armies, but for IG stuff it fits really well).

I also know some people get their books through channels where price is irrelevant, not that I condone that.

Understand. Haven't read the GW one myself - but I have a feeling they use a lot of the same techniques - since I know Shep's book has been out for about 20 years.

Im working on the chipping detail and its working really nicely and im experimenting with the rust streaks and getting the mud right but i will try to get some pictures up.

Some really helpful information in this thread, thanks all!!

I love the FW book as well.
I think the most important thing to remember is that you need to start with a "clean" model: http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2011/04/start-with-clean-model-before.html
Here's a post that talks about where you apply damge to the model as well. Not something most folks think about: http://www.fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2012/06/why-you-apply-battle-damage-to-certain.html