Now in reading this and others leads me to conclude as I did on my sandrock. That being the first one I've done to have damage really. I've done the paint chips n wear on basicly stock suits. Now as I've learned there is some damage you want to do before you paint and some you will Wang to do after the painting. I learned to figure first the damage you want implement, projectile, energy, or physical. Physical = dents, scratchs, grooves, nicks. Energy = heat, melt, searing. Projectile = blast, explosion, bullets. Ive researched the subject as well and find that truly the damage proccess is throughout the entire build. Physical, as you assemble to snapfit, use x-acto knife and trim down random corners maybe cut into it in a couple spots. I even go step farther and dremel some dents in flat areas, these are injuries that often don't lead to paint scarring so they are ok to paint over (can touch up with silver later). At this time I also mark out were I'm placing other damages (with marker or drilling holes for prjectiles.) at this point you are all snapfit (assembled) I do the projectile damage as well before I paint so that I don't cause extra damage to the paint(ing). This damage is blasted usually so I'll drill small hole sometimes all the way through and sometimes not, the come in with knife and cut shards I call it sharding but you cut or break like broken glass effect, picture how metal breaks from an explosives or sharp piercing blast damage. (I may not be dascribing to well). Energy damage I do with an old soldering iron or wood burner (take care in not to breath the exaust of this method though -toxic-)by either poking holes or making slices with it. This damage I did after painting yet before weathering and after decals, this reasoning is because markings and signs are not discriminated by a heat saber or energy weapon, bullets, etc. Later you come in with metal coloring to you're Bullet holes, blastings, slices, etc. Then do some dry brushing for the edges, corners, etc. I could explain in all more detail if you like. I mainly built ootb main the longest time but now for past few years have gotten to were I can actualy customize them so it's been a learning trial for me too. Hope I helped a little. But check the web if you haven't already. Fitchenfoo and DC23 are a couple of good sources for many building subjects.
