Painting the Hummel

[amba]

Hi Guys,

I have gathered some experience with my airbrush now and feel comfortable enough to start painting my Hummel. I completed it over a year ago and it has been stowed away in a closed box since then. There is although some dust and dirt gathered on the surfaces of the model. So here is my question: Anybody had this problem before and if yes how did you solve it? What is the best way to clean the model? Should I just rinse it with clear lukewarm water? How to dry it afterwards? Could I just put water in my airbush and clean it with the airbrush?

As soon as Photobucket is up and running again I will add some photos. Thanks in advance for any help:thumb:

-Ambjoern

[James Tainton]

Maybe just use the airbrush to blow the dust off?

[lquah]

Hi Ambjoern

Does the dust stick to the model or just loose? For loose dust you can use an airbrush as James suggested or a dust blower commonly used for camera lenses.

If it sticks to the model, then some washing will be required. But you have to be gentle as you don't want to break any parts off.

To dry it, just use a hairdryer on low heat setting and slowly dry it. The key is to be real gentle.

Lawrence

[amba]

Here are some pictures:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/painting/Hummel-001.jpg

and a closeup of the front:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/painting/Hummel-005.jpg

Also some dirt on the louvres:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/painting/Hummel-009.jpg

And the inside:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/painting/Hummel-006.jpg

James, Lawrence,

thanks for your input:) as you can see it is a bit of both (dirt and dust). I will try to clean it with the airbrush and also rinse it in lukewarm water.

-Ambjoern

[Flak]

WOW...very nice Hummel...can't wait to see it in paint.

[greybeard]

Wash it, Ambjoern. If it's been out in the open, there's all manner of crud on it that isn't very visible (until you paint it). Not just dust — that will blow off, but grime from the environment: kitchen grease, residue from your heating system, pollution from outdoors, etc. Just look at the back of your computer!

The airbrush (without paint) is very good from blowing loose particles off, and for drying it once you've washed it. I use tepid water with a few drops of dishwashing detergent (Sunlight is the best if you can find it there). Avoid any soaps that have stuff added to make it smell pretty or "soften your lovely hands, Madge". You just want something that the dirt will bind to.

I just take the model and immerse it for half an hour, then I use a shaving brush (long, soft bristles) to scrub it. Rinse well, blow dry, and paint.

Since you have a fair bit of brass there, too, you might give it a bath in a mild acid like vinegar or lemon juice to eliminate oxidation on the metal. That will go a long way to help the paint bond. You can get special anti-oxidants in a good train store, but they are expensive and hard to find, and lemon juice works pretty well for much less. Follow the same procedure. If you use lemon juice, do it before soap-and-water. If you use vinegar, you can do it afterwards. Paint the model soon!

Cheers
Scott Fraser

[amba]

Hi Scott,

thanks a lot for your valuable input:thumb:

That's exactly the answers I was looking for... Shaving brush and lemon juice... hot stuff I'll give it a try:)

Thanks
-Ambjoern

[James Tainton]

I was going to suggest using dish soap as well but just suggested the air blowing to see if more serious measures would be required. The reason I held back was because with the water and soap and manual cleaning the chances of having something break or fall off are pretty good. Even with the air blowing you need to be careful. But having painted the Panzer III awhile ago after it had sat and after cleaning it somewhat there was still crap to be seen after the paint that was not seen before on the PE fenders.

I took a chance and was lazy, oh well. In any case instead of the shaving brush- perhaps a good paint brush, which is what I usually use, can be substituted. (no offense):rolleyes:
Use ones of different size- small one maybe for in tight places.

With all the brass you may want to try using a self etching metal primer, maybe found at a Marine type store. You can decant and use in airbrush. The problem with regular primer is it chips and flaks off easily on brass, specially on edges. I wouldn't use a hair dryer- too risky to melt something or at least it might cause warping. Use the airbrush to get rid of the water- but I would let it air dry for awhile in a shoe box or something like that (to keep the dust off), as water will hide in crevices and such.

[James Tainton]

So any news?

[Sticky]

Wow Amba I forgot bout this one, but it sure is sweet!

[amba]

Hi James, Hi John,

well I haven't been that much active lately. I've been straying between the 250/7 project and the Hummel. Although I did not start painting yet, I really aprreciate all the tips I got regarding the cleaning and I will put them to good use one day:rolleyes:

Been really busy at work but I am still reading PlanetArmor daily. When me and my family were visiting France in April we went to Saumur. What a great place, I took tons of pics but haven't sorted them yet... Of course we visited the real late hummel they have there.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/Crew/saumur.jpg
(The girl in the picture is my 9 year old daugther)

I want to sculpt a crew and another couple of guys for the Hummel. I guess about 5 to 7 figures, based on a picture from Budapest in January 1945 in nuts & bolts. I started with the driver a while ago.

I started with this. Basically a pair of DML shoes and some plastic parts:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/Crew/Driver-001.jpg

He should sit like this on the hummel:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/Crew/Driver-018.jpg

The driver is wearing the winter overall issued mainly to SS tankers in 44-45 over his regular uniform. The tankers from Feldherrnhalle received these overalls as well although they were Wehrmacht troops.

Here is were I am right now:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/Crew/Driver-071.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/ambjoern/hummel/Crew/Driver-069.jpg

I used Miliput on this figure, but I guess I will switch to Fimo on my next figures. It's much easier to handle.

-Ambjoern

[Stuke Sowle]

Great sculpting Amba!

[serpico]

Great Amba, what do you use for the uniform buttons?

:thumb::thumb:

[amba]

Great Amba, what do you use for the uniform buttons?

:thumb::thumb:

Hi Paul,

for the buttons I roll Milliput into a thin string and then cut slices.

-Ambjoern