JT Takes a Break From Building Models to Paint His Cat

I have to confess, the preparation and building part of making models is not my favourite thing, I would much prefer to just do the painting and weathering. Then I saw Mike Rinaldi has been weathering some diecast models, I had to have a go.

It's a diecast Caterpillar Cat 22 Tractor made by Norscot, scale 1:16, it comes fully assembled like this:




You can see the size here:


I'm planning to repaint and weather it, probably starting in a week or two. Can hardly wait!

Cheers
JT

Hi JT:

Well this is certainly not what I was thinkin I was gonna see. But it sure looks like it will end up looking way cool when you get through doing what you can do with a repaint and weather job. All beat up and used long and hard like them Cats do . I can hardly wait too.



Gary

Hi Gary, that's what I'm thinking, all beat up and rusty!

The model is held together by screws underneath, which I removed and pulled the thing apart. Then I etched the glossy painted surface with steel wool to help the paint stick, then washed everything in soapy water.


Then Vallejos Black Primer:


The motor in primer.


I didn't photgraph every step, but next I painted it dark rust. Then Vallejo satin varnish, then left for a few hours. Then airbrushed with 2 or 3 light coats of AK Interactives Worn Effects fluid, then sprayed with a Tamiya grey.


Then another spray with the Worn Effects fluid, then Tamiya yellow. When dry the surface was wetted first then some of the painted worn off with a wet brush.




I'm pretty happy with results so far, thanks for looking.
JT

JT. Good use of the AK products. Dean

A good start. Only about 628 steps to go .


Gary

Here's a little inspiration for you from a previous contributor http://search.fotki.com/ChuckDoan/?search_text=farmtractor

Hi Dean, thanks. The worn effects fluid works a treat!

Thanks Gary, at least I could get straight to the paint, always the funnest part

Hi Johann, that's a brilliant job Chuck did with that tractor, very inspirational!.

I think the injun is done, after using oil paints and pigments to simulate dust and oil stains.




Next some rusty body work

Cheers
JT

Looking great ! I realy like the effect you got layering the rust, primer and paint with the worn effects fluid. you're certainly getting some nice results with that stuff!

Thanks Johann!

Working on the lower half, I added rust using various shades of Vallejo Model Colour acrylic applied and mixed on the surface by dabbing with a sponge. A little fine sand was added for texture.


Then more chipping fluid, Tamiya top coat and chipping.


Lots of chipping as you can see. This is a fairly old machine, well used

Cheers
JT

Okay, if you don't like lots of chipping, better look away now.

More progress with the worn effects fluid:


Then some effects were added with oil paints:


This has been good practice using this chipping technique. Thanks for looking, cheers!
JT

JT.....looking great!!!!

What is this chipping fluid you mentioned?
Is this the same like the hairspray method?

Hi Henri
Yes the chipping fluid is used like hairspray in the hairspray technique, although it isn't hairspray.


You can read more about it here:
http://www.ak-interactive.com/news7.htm

I thought I would also sneak in another photo:


Cheers
JT

Thanks JT!

Will check the link out and get me some of that stuff!

Does it work OK with Vallejo?

I have experienced that with use of hairspray it is not easy to get the paint of.
Now I recently read that this is caused by the resinharder that is one of the ingredients from the Vallejo paints.
With the real hairspray it seems that it does not work that well compared to Life Colour or Tamiya paint.

Any experience with that?
Just wondering!

Hi Henri, yes I have read that also. That is, Tamiya and Lifecolour are said to be better when used as a top coat with the hairspray technique. That's why I used Vallejo for the bottom coat on this tractor, and Tamiya for the top coat over the chipping fluid.

But I have experimented with vallejo as the top coat and found it worked fine. I think it's more important to make the top coat not too thick, a thin coat will give smaller more realistic chips. Also it's best to start the chipping as soon as the top coat is dry to touch, the longer it is left the more it cures and hardens.

The kind and thickness of hairspray are also major factors, making the technique difficult to master. That's why I use the AK Interactive fluid now which is always the same formula (they say), once you get used to using it you can get consistant results.

Cheers
JT

Hi JT,

Now.....with that explenation I can work!

Sounds very realistic and I also rather use commercial product for a specific purpose developed, then trying to save a few cents.
Most time the few cents save become a pain in the bud when a second try turns out complete the opposite of the first.

Thanks for explaining and I am going to get me some of the AK fluid when I am on a show!

Henri

WOW I'm sorry for my absence of late but this is stunning!

Hi Nick, no worries and thanks!

A little bit of progress: Using Vallejo this time to paint rust on the tracks. The colours aren't as realistic as Lifecolour, but the addition of some yellow improved things. I liked the Vallejo Model colour paint for making rust with a sponge like this. Because they are thicker they added a more pronounced texture and random pattern.


Then some pigments.




More updates soon.
Cheers
JT

Hi JT:

This is really looking super. I just can't get over how good you are at the worn and rusting metal technique. Having spent many many hours of my life on top of something just like this I would have gone for even more rust, but it looks great as it is. I was wondering if it is possible or if you were considering doing some damage to the seat? It is often one of the first things to go on one of these things. It would look great with a good butt crease worn in, and some tearing with the stuffing and a wire spring or two showing here and there


Gary

Thanks Gary, thats a great idea! I'll see what I can come up with.

Cheers
JT

If it looked anymore real it could drive off your workbench. Dean

Ultra nice looking JT , I love how you have worked on the tracks . I thought the photo of the tracks had a plate of potato wedges in the background initially with some dipping sauces but its just your sponges LOL

Now I am sure Gary bet someone he could use the phrase "It would look great with a good butt crease worn in" without me knowing , but I am onto you mister !

Jenny

JT.
That is some outstanding weatherin and wear on that Cat.

Thanks everyone, Gary I forgot the butt crease but I trashed the seat a bit and I added more rust, in fact I think I'll add even more.
Jenny, they do look like wedges and sauce, lucky I didn't accidently put one in my mouth

Here are some more photos, there is still a little to do, dust, oil, spilt fuel etc.

Wow that seat does look kewl , even without Garys butt crease (which I am sure is overscaled ) .

Just amazing work !

Jenny

Sorry I didn't do the butt crease, but you know Gary's friend has got to give him $20 every time he can get one of us to say butt crease. So I won't be mentioning anything more about the butt crease. No more talking about the butt crease for me.

Anyway, it is finished! Some grass has been caught in the grill, oil paint oil stains were added, more mud and dust. Here are the pics:














Thanks again for following, I hope you like it.
Cheers
JT