Random musings on the painting of metallic areas on Titans

[Gillyfish]

I have been thinking about Titans.

 

Specifically, about whether the areas that are generally accepted as being painted as if they are bare metal should be bare metal.

 

Why?

 

Well, I clearly don't have enough to occupy my mind, but I also wondered whether the metal really would be metal. Most real-world industrial machinery is painted over, even if it is functional. Surely, given the size of Titans, they would have areas like a Reaver's legs painted, rather than showing as bare metal? (Okay, so space magic may prevent rust, but it doesn't seem very sensible, even for the Mechanicus...)

 

Of course what is really the most important question is whether that would look any good. You'd want a neutral colour like black so it didn't overwhelm the rest of the model, but does anyone actually think that could work on a model?

 

 

[Cpt. Bannockburn]

I had the same thought, yes. RL machinery is protected by anti-rust painting, after all. But we're so used to painting a lot of tank stuff in metallics, that it looks weird when not doing it.

[Captain Idaho]

I think it's partly for contrast and partly to emphasise the practical aspect of the underside, since the Mechanicum even in the time the Emperor's walked among man was nightmare industrial in concept.

 

Essentially the dirty, oil stained underside of the glorious God Machines plays the narrative to the wider Imperium and Mechanicum - it's an illustrative metaphor to the dirty, ambigious underbelly of the outwardly glorious and noble wider human existence.

[Fajita Fan]

I wonder how long it takes to paint everything on a modern warship.

[Captain Taelos]

That holds true if it's steel! In modern machinery and equipment, aluminium, brass, zinc, titanium and many others metals are often left unpainted. Who knows what metals Titan skeletons are made from?

[Reyner]

Having the metal areas not painted metal gives me an amazing idea for Legio Devastator! It may burn out my eyeballs but it will look ace. 

 

"Prepare for extermination!"

[Gillyfish]

What's your idea Reyner?

 

Thanks for the responses. I agree that the areas can be painted metallic, I suppose I'm just curious as to whether anyone thinks a different colour could also work. Black, being an obvious choice, but possible some other colours, maybe even some Legio colours (suitably weathered, of course).

[Fajita Fan]

Battleship gray. Techs will be able to spot oil or coolant leaks, rust, chipping, corrosion, etc.

[Reyner]

What's your idea Reyner?

 

Thanks for the responses. I agree that the areas can be painted metallic, I suppose I'm just curious as to whether anyone thinks a different colour could also work. Black, being an obvious choice, but possible some other colours, maybe even some Legio colours (suitably weathered, of course).

Something like the colours of the mighty Devastator himself!

 

https://youtu.be/Qhkx3O060BI

 

So green/yellow armour plates, purple exoskeleton and black head with silver bits thrown in.

 

Hehe.

[Fajita Fan]

First, that's awesome paint scheme idea.

 

Second, I'm totally finding a way to kitbash an AT scale Grimlock for a special scenario.

"Sensor contact!"

"An enemy engine? Damn this sandstorm, we can't see anything."
"Unknown pattern, I've never seen anything like it!"
"Range?"
"Closing fast!"

"Charge weapons, plot solution."

"It's hailing us!"
"Maintain target lock but open the channel."
"GRIMLOCK SMASH!!"

[Achinadav]

Now I find myself wondering if a dark brass would work for the skeleton...

[Gillyfish]

Oh dear, what have I started? :D

 

Dark brass would definitely work. Battleship grey might also work, although you'd want the colour of the armour plates to work well with it.

 

Reyner, a Devastator themed Titan? That really is rocking the full retro-80s aspect of AT! I would be impressed if you could pull that off.