Pre-shade, paint and salt chipping. Airfix Cromwell Mk IV 1/35 Scale Model Tank - Part 8

Parts 8 of my build of Airfix's newly tooled Cruiser Mk. VIII Cromwell Mk. IV tank in 1/35 scale. Product Ref A1373.
This may be a common technique for amour modellers, it may not; but I had the idea of pre-shading (as I would do with aircraft models) but instead of using black to use dark rust.
This would give the shadow effect around the panel lines, but also means that I can using a chipping technique to reveal rusting under the paintwork. The benefit I see to this is the chipping is going to naturally happen on the edges of the panel and hatches - which is exactly where the pre-shading will be the most effective.
Once dry the model was sprayed with water, and salt was sprinkled where the chipping would be. I used sea salt flakes as opposed to the finer regular table salt. Some of the flakes were quite large and found that it could be crumbled which gave flakes of different sizes.
The model was left overnight for the water to dry off not only from the model, but also from the salt flakes. Using a brush I removed flakes where I didn't want them, mainly from the middle of the panels where rust wasn't applied.
The Cromwell was sprayed with MRP Paint SSC No. 15 Olive Drab. Initially I was going leave it overnight for the paint to dry and cure, but as it is lacquer based and dries quickly so got and used an old toothbrush.
I am pleased with the result, although it is a little stark because the top-coat of paint is fresh. Once weathering is applied it should blend quite nicely, and more rusting and chipping can be applied as the build progresses.
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[@SteveJonesScaleModellingSite]

Coming along nicely. Nice work on the chipping

[@RobsModels]

Thanks - not used the technique before so pleased with the results, and additional weathering will help tone it down and blend it in. Well, that’s the plan! ;-)

[@RimsModels]

another great update my friend nice to see the salt technique used looks amazing the pre shading is tops thanks for sharing

[@RobsModels]

Cheers mate! Was basically making it up as I went along! Pleased that the pre-shading has helped break up the plain Olive Drab and given it some tonal variety - and the rust chipping is a bonus. 🤣

[@RimsModels]

@@RobsModels yes looks good to me dude keep up the good work 👍👍