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Hi, first time poster!

I finally got the game in hand. I like the ships, but I think I want to add some extra detailing and personalization, like I've seen people do with X-Wing.

I know how to add wash, highlight, and simple techniques like that (and think I've got a handle on the little fighters). I'm curious about more advanced things, such as:
- Adding running lights
- Weathering / distressing panels
- pseudo-illumination effects for hangar bays (thinking about that Gladiator-class)
- Scorching and battle damage
- Making those nifty cotton fire/smoke plumes

I've seen X-Wing players doing some of the above. I figured veterans here could point me at a few good tutorials faster than I could google-fu it.

Grateful for any assistance!

Panel discoloration is probably the number one thing you can do to the ships to make them look better, and for that, oils are your best friend. The other popular thing is streaking, which you can also do with oils (and enamels). Pigments are handy for blaster marks and engine soot. All of those things will give the models a very Star Wars-y look.

These videos show how to do effects those, demonstrated on a 1/72 scale Millennium Falcon model:
http://youtu.be/wreblsPaUhU
http://youtu.be/KtOENlm0Xpo
http://youtu.be/jY6XvmA3kUo
http://youtu.be/9CCShewJdl0
http://youtu.be/hikjX1ekgFc
http://youtu.be/UrdjQZ9-98E