*HELP* PAINTING MEDIC CROSSES

Hey guys,
i really need help with painting medic crosses on a US M1 helmet...by that i mean the style in the photo...i would like to know what paint colors, paint types, details, technices, history, and ways to do it as well as links to help me or photos. Also i would like to know how to lightly weather my crosses.
THE REAL INFO I NEED is how to paint them, paint colors, and paint types (such as acyrlic,spray, etc.)
I WOULD LIKE TO PAINT THIS TYPE AS SHONE IN PICTURES-

 

Ummmm...
Get a paintbrush and some enamels.
Paint a white circle.
Paint a red cross.
Kick it round the garden for half an hour.

http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=e...=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=615

Or am I missing something?

~A

 

Yeah ive heard the samething but i heard that you should use acyrlic because its more forgiving a wipes off with a wet rag. but im not sure about enamals.

 

Google is your friend - if we can google it, so can you!

 

yes ive tried but i have found many links that take me to the same page...i pretty much know what to do but need more specific items and as many tips as possible.BUT THANKS ANYWAY!!!

 

Enamel or oil-based would be a more authentic/contemporary style of paint.
Acrylics only really came into use postwar.
Assuming people modding their lids as so would scrounge the paint anywhere they could, vehicle paints would seem a likely source:
Pittsburgh Paint Chart from WW2!

I assume this is for re-enacting?
If a WW2 soldier's lid wasn't 'wipe-clean', why should a reenactors be?

 

ok, so overall use enamals?......and i agree....it should be like the real one.

 

thanks, thats what i was thinking.but what do you guys think about me making a stencil of a circle out of paper with a cross left in the middle and once you paint the white circle tape off the lines and paint the cross? tell me what you guys think!

 

THANKS!!!! i think that is all the info ill be needing....but once again, thanks!

 

It ain't rocket surgery kid. I believe the actual paint that was used is "Sign Painter's Enamel" very durable and forgiving. It cleans up with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol.

 

Sergeant: "Hey ...any of you guys have any artistic ability?
GI #1: I like to draw Sergeant.
GI#2: "A 'h used ta paint Ma's picket fence, Sergeant.
GI#3: Yeah ...I painted some subway cars back in New York ...hah!
Sergeant: Okay ...'you' ...'you' ... and 'you' ...report to the Medical Detachment ...on the double!

 

Painting Red Crosses (on your helmet) | WWII Medic.com


once painted on, place the helmet in an oven on low heat for an hr or so, to bake on the paint, another good method for ageing the paint, is to use a lighted candle, also use a piece of wood? like mdf, to rub the paintwork, but only when the baking is set and hard, the candle trick.. hold the distressed decal just over it, this will collect the soot from the candle flame and create a filthy looking used been there ...you can use this method to distress the whole helmet and you'll see the effects...especially when the helmet has some chips and cracks as this looks even better..then lightly wipe with cloth, to desired effect..

 

not in mum's oven I hope! I can't imagine the smell and the chemicals that would be gratifying the next Birthday cake. I'm not certain I want to encourage methods of making medic helmets repros anyway. In a world of fakes a genuine is the king.

 

Oh yes..lol.. and it does..but it's the best way to set the paint for ageing..

 

Also, before painting, grind up some Cork and mix it with the paint. You will get that rough texture you need.

Sorry if someone else mentioned this above but I dont have time to read every post.

 

yes that would make it look better.

 

>>>READ THIS<<< THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HEPLED!!! I will be doing this project tonight but ill be away till next saturday (the 28th) but ill still have my laptop...If anyone would like me to post photos of the finished result please let me know!!! PLEASE fell free to contiue this post talking about general medics/ medical of ww2 and painting helmets . THANKS AGAIN!!!
Matt

 

Quite welcome and looking forward to the fnished product ;-))