When I showed the unpainted tanks from Shapeways, I promised to also show what they looked like after I painted them up. So here they are:
![Terran Main Battle Tanks Terran Main Battle Tanks](showcase/scfshowcase/2013/84816g.jpg)
I followed my usual painting technique, as I wanted the models to fit into an existing force, even though this technique might not have been best for the Shapeways product.
![Terran Main Battle Tank Terran Main Battle Tank](showcase/scfshowcase/2013/84816a.jpg)
I primed the models with Krylon Ruddy Brown spray primer, which also served as the basecoat.
![Terran Main Battle Tank Terran Main Battle Tank](showcase/scfshowcase/2013/84816b.jpg)
I then gave the models a brown ink wash, followed by drybrushing with a medium tan.
![Terran Main Battle Tank Terran Main Battle Tank](showcase/scfshowcase/2013/84816c.jpg)
(As you can see above, the drybrushing sometimes brought out the defects, such as the horizontal striping on the rear hull from the printing process.)
![Terran Main Battle Tank Terran Main Battle Tank](showcase/scfshowcase/2013/84816d.jpg)
I then painted a red stripe across the front hull, which is an identifier for the force these tanks are joining.
![Terran Main Battle Tank Terran Main Battle Tank](showcase/scfshowcase/2013/84816e.jpg)
The machineguns were painted gunmetal; missiles and sensors got a touch of gold; I used a black wash to darken the missile tubes and main gun barrel. (One surprise: the "White, Strong and Flexible" material readily soaks up inks.) The tanks were then mounted on 1½"-square Litko 3mm wooden bases, with FlexSteel beneath for storage purposes.
![Terran Main Battle Tank Terran Main Battle Tank](showcase/scfshowcase/2013/84816f.jpg)
As you can see, the graininess of the Shapeways "White, Strong and Flexible" material still shows up through the paintjob. One of the models was given a second primer coat, but that made no difference. In my sci-fi force, I'm going to use these as "antique tech" vehicles, lost for eons on some radiation-blasted world before being salvaged.