How to Paint WWII German Panzertruppen with the Panzer Truppen Paint Set

Quick answer

Use the Scale75 Panzer Truppen Paint Set to paint the black wool uniform of WWII German tank crews. Follow these steps for a clean, historically accurate finish on your wargaming miniatures.

Step-by-step painting guide

1. Prepare the paints: Pierce the cap of each paint can. Insert a small ball or stirrer and shake thoroughly to ensure the pigment is fully mixed. This prevents separation that can cause uneven coverage. Skipping this step often leads to clumpy paint that obscures detail.
2. Basecoat the uniform: Apply a thin coat of SW15 Flat Black to all areas that will be the black Panzer uniform. Let it dry completely before moving on. A second thin coat may be needed for full opacity. Thick coats can fill in fine sculpted folds; thin layers preserve detail.
3. Highlight the uniform with greys: Mix a small amount of SW40 Titanium Grey with SW15 Flat Black to create a subtle highlight for raised areas like collar tabs, shoulder straps, and belt edges. Use SW41 Smoke Grey sparingly for sharper highlights on the most prominent folds. Avoid pure grey on the uniform – it will look too stark against the black base.
4. Paint the helmet and field gear: Use SW42 Slate Grey for the M35 helmet and any metal equipment (e.g., canteen, mess tin). For leather items like belts and boots, you can use the Flat Black or a separate leather brown. The set does not include brown, so plan accordingly. Slate Grey gives a realistic dusty metal look, but it is not a substitute for leather brown.
5. Apply a wash for depth: Thin a small amount of SW15 Flat Black with water (about 4:1 water to paint) and flow it into the recesses of the uniform. This creates natural shadows without needing to paint every crease individually. Too much wash will darken the entire surface; wick away excess with a clean brush.
6. Seal and finish: Once all paint is dry, apply a matte varnish to protect the finish. This step is optional but recommended for miniatures that will be handled during games. The matte varnish preserves the non-reflective look of the uniform. Gloss varnish will ruin the matte effect – always choose matte for historical figures.

Product facts

• PANZER TRUPPEN PAINT SET: Set of 4 matte-finish acrylic paints: SW15 Flat Black, SW40 Titanium Grey, SW41 Smoke Grey, SW42 Slate Grey. Before using, pierce the paint can's cap. We recommend inserting a small ball or stirrer into the can to facilitate mixing. The matte finish and specific grey tones let you build realistic shadows and highlights on the black Panzer uniform without needing to mix custom shades.