A 1:1 mixture of Tamiya Acrylic XF-57 “Buff” and Tamiya Acrylic XF-52 “Flat Earth” in Tamiya X-20A thinner (10% paint mixture in thinner) was sprayed on the side skirts, lower front and rear and selective parts of the hull to simulate light dust.

Then I created three distinct mixes of various pigments (detailed below), following the technique described in TankArt 3 Modern Armor (Michael Rinaldi, Rinaldi Studio Press, 2014, p.16). The light mix was applied by brush to certain parts of the hull and tracks (to be detailed later) and fixed with Tamiya X-20A (either sprayed on or applied by brush). I repeated the same task using the medium mix. In the end, I did not use the dark mix – I will keep that (and dark\wet mud effects) for the next model.

Light pigment mix

• Mig Productions “Light European Earth” (P415) – 1.5 parts
• Vallejo “Green Earth” (73111) – 2 parts
• AK Interactive “Light Dust” (AK040) – 4 parts
• AK Interactive “North Africa Dust” (AK041) – 4 parts

Medium pigment mix

• Light mix – 5 parts
• Mig Productions “Europe Dust” (P028) – 1.5 parts
• Mig Productions “Dry Mud” (P232) – 1 part
• Vallejo “Light Sienna” (73104) – 1 part
• AK Interactive “European Earth” (AK042) – 2 parts

Dark pigment mix

• Medium mix – 4.5 parts
• Mig Productions “Track Brown” (P414) – 1 part
• Mig Productions “Rubble Dust” (P234) – 1 part
• Vallejo “Natural Umber” (73109) – 1 part
• AK Interactive “Dark Earth” (Ak081) – 1 part

Finally, a dilute slurry of the medium mix in Tamiya X-20A was flicked from the end of a brush onto selected surfaces to simulate dried splashes of mud.