My ongoin' Panther Ausf. G Späte build

[McCoy]

I've used saltflakes that I've crushed between my fingers to uneven grain n' flake sizes n' put it on the parts that I've wetted with water in an old handpump hairspray bottle.

Bakelite is a very tough material but on the same time really sensitive to sun, weather n' wind as it becomes dired n' brittle very quick in the wrong enviroment.

[Whiterook]

I was going to mention the same thing...love the look of the tool handles! I've thought the ones on my Panther I did came out too dark...and seeing the color you painted yours, I know what I'm shooting for next time! Kudos mate!

By the way...what color combinations.brand/type did you use?

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by McCoy

I've used saltflakes that I've crushed between my fingers to uneven grain n' flake sizes n' put it on the parts that I've wetted with water in an old handpump hairspray bottle.

Bakelite is a very tough material but on the same time really sensitive to sun, weather n' wind as it becomes dired n' brittle very quick in the wrong enviroment.

Thanks for the info mate...I'll definitely try it some time. It looks like a great 'random' technique. I say 'random' to denote techniques where one gives up a certain amount of control...dry brushing with a piece of sponge also qualifies. I usually don't like the random things, but I'm a virgo, control-freak perfectionist.

[MAGNA]

Bakelite is one of the earliest forms of plastic. As McCoy said it is sensitive to sunlight just like many plastics and is brittle as well so a few chunks missing here and there plus a bit of fading won't be out of place at all.

[Whiterook]

Originally Posted by Geek44

Thanks for the info mate...I'll definitely try it some time. It looks like a great 'random' technique. I say 'random' to denote techniques where one gives up a certain amount of control...dry brushing with a piece of sponge also qualifies. I usually don't like the random things, but I'm a virgo, control-freak perfectionist.

Watercolorists use the salt method quite effectively (usually in Winter snow scenes), so I can see the use with Acrylics. Don't know how it would react to enamels, though.

[Geek44]

You raise an interesting point Em. I've read about this technique in ne fewer than four magazine articles. One concerned one of the best models I think I've ever seen too...Trumpeter's Br.52 Loco in 1/35. The guy who built it did a sublime job and if not for the figures, I'd have thought I was looking at a photo of an actual train. The weathering was just beautiful...especially the paint chipping in the white camo patterns applied to it. In all these articles, I've never once taken note what kind of paint they used. I'm a habitual enamel user and could easily have waltzed into a disaster mate...thanks for making me think.

[Whiterook]

My pleasure! Thinking on it a bit more, I really would be surprised to hear the salt technique works on enamels. I would think Acrylics are about the closest thing to watercolors that it would work on, but I just don't know. Probably a viscosity thing, my guess.

[McCoy]

Some more work has been done on this baby.

Overview of the wheels

Roadwheels

Drivesprocket

Idler

[McCoy]

The roadwheels in place

Closeup of the idler n' station 8 steelwheel.

[McCoy]

The tracks in place

The tracks over the left drivesprocket

The tracks over the right drivesprocket

The left side station eight steelwheel n' idler with the tracks around 'em

The right side steelwheel