Repainting Cheap Plastic Palm Trees (BBB#6)

The Big Burma Build is back as I tackle my kryponite ... Palm Trees!!!! Yes, join me as I paint up some very cheap model plastic palm trees, trying to nail down the colours for realistic looking wargaming jungle terrain. Also, find out why these cheap plastic model palm trees are perfect for my Bolt Action wargaming terrain project!
In this episode of the Big Burma Build, my 28mm Bolt Action terrain project, I'm showcasing my full wargaming jungle terrain setup for my ww2 Chindits. It's great to finally get all my jungle terrain scenery on to board and finally rolling dice!
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[@TheTerrainTutor]

So, do you think I've cracked the colours?

[@tamsinp7711]

Haven't got that far yet, but thought I'd remind you to put up the link to Solvent Abuse channel (you did forget!)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

sorted, thanks tam!

[@brettsimpson1505]

Looking great, Mel!

[@karkaj]

Hi Mel! You definitively have defeated your Nemesis ;-). I think colours are pretty good. Maybe, just maybe, I would have given them some washes with different shades of green to mark the details of the leaves and give more variety to the whole, but I am a worker of small projects and never in my life have I made 50 palm trees (only a couple tbh), so I think the result you've got is great. Congrats. 34:46 - Lucky accident!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers buddy!

[@SlyBlu7]

Hey - for those of you asking; these trees come off of Wish, or Amazon, you can get them on eBay as well. Usually just look for the cheapest ones you can find, they come in a big bag and remind me of party supplies. They unanimously ship out of China, because of course. I can't ever seem to find them from the same supplier twice, though. Again, "because of course"

[@DirgeDesigns]

Amazing inspiration and information for my Lustria jungle build (even though Lustria no longer exists 😞).

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Lustria will always live on in our hearts!

[@xaviakoantich1699]

absolutely beautiful as you've said man, congratulations!

[@florianw.9545]

27:15 best sound! Made my day. However; like your videos so much! Bigbig inspiration, Mel! TY

[@SpottedLaughter]

Oh man! I wish I'd thought of melting the mold lines off my desert ones. Guess that's an excuse to make more hah

[@TheTerrainTutor]

we live and learn buddy

[@troylanning4581]

Great video, so glad you are working on the BBB again!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

me too!

[@shaunwelch3438]

These look amazing, Mel. Great transformation from meh plastic to beautiful terrain. I'm getting ready to try my own hand at terrain building, finally, and your videos are an absolute joy and inspiration. Thank you!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad you like them buddy

[@keironbradbury8534]

Mel, you are a legend mate :) Scarif / Pacific board is going to look even better now :)

[@kerrybrown8339]

As an alternative (to the trunks) might be to spray the with a lighter tan...wash them in a grey and dry brush them with another light tan.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I'm going to explore a few different colour schemes mate

[@costagauci5719]

Really great video. Help clear a lot up for me.

[@kevinm3751]

I saw one guy that had the exact same plastic trees and he took the fiber from coconuts, broke them up to realistic sizes and glued them to the trunks and I have to say it made for some super realistic looking palm trunks. Might be worth a go at and see what you can come up with. You can even get just coconut fiber, I have seen it in garden shops before so that might be an option rather than getting them from the grocery store...

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I did the same with these at the top of the trunks, be curious to see what that guy did mate

[@kevinm3751]

Yea I thought I bookmarked it but I can find it and have not had any luck searching. If I do run across it I will come back here and post the link.

[@amedeus40k]

Those palm trees turned out fantastic Mel! Very nice! Thanks for another great vid!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers buddy!

[@hammergodsix]

Suggestion from someone who lives in Florida, on some of the scatter pieces vines would help. Also there are a lot of dead, fallen and rotting trees on the ground. It would also be cool if there were a few scatter pieces of large puddle/swampy areas because those suckers are everywhere. Also, because of the falling trees and also trees just trying to get the sunlight, and the occasional hurricane trees grow in random directions. Love what you do keep up the good work

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Noted mate

[@peezebeuponyou]

They look great Mel, but I fear for their durability. First thing I do with this bendy plastic stuff (which is usually either PVC or polyethylene) is give them a good scrub in warm, soapy water. When dry, I'll give them a primer coat of gesso, which is brilliant stuff and really helps the paint 'bind' to the surface. Then paint in water-based paint, with a dash of pva mixed in (which I think you said you'd done yourself). If they're not going to get much use, you should be OK, but it's something worth considering for next time. Cheers.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

They're pretty tough to be honest and the pieces haven't had their final seal yet but only time will tell, fingers crossed hey lol

[@nuggs4snuggs516]

I personally liked both the Drab and Angel greens; if I were doing it I'd make them mostly in drab but throw in a few here and there in angel for some more color but your board your colors, looking fantastic mate

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Definitely more playing to be had mate

[@jacobhope6164]

Brilliant! Colors are spot on!

[@tomwilderbuer8337]

This will be perfect for my Philippines build.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Hope it helps buddy

[@hamm6035]

Dam fine program. Excellent content, and easy to watch and follow. Thanks.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad you like it buddy

[@GryphonArmorer]

Your red issue with the palm trunks is pretty much why "modelers" use an initial gray primer. It gives you a neutral base that takes proceeding colors. But your end result turned out quite good. 👍

[@wleedsloiner]

Hi Mel, i'm rather new to you channel, do you have (or thought about) doing a video about your journey to becoming the Terrain Tutor? How you got into the hobby etc? Where you have learnt the hints and tips you share? Maybe do a forum so us fans can ask questions and you can do a reply video to the questions? Thanks for all the content you post

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I've often covered it in live shows but never done a video specifically about it

[@runcornblue5092]

Spot on Mel!!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

cheers bud

[@nimeryaspawnbrd1049]

15.30 and why not to try a dark wash? you know... not much, just a sepia/burnt ochra hue, to tune down that red a bit... oh, your BBB has been a lot useful to me lately (I'm working on a small display for a lizardmen bloodbowl team I made a while ago, converting some vintage warhammer miniatures) you give me tons of ideas for some great tropical foliage ^__^

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I tried with a test, the red still shone through on the raised areas mate

[@gamervince3720]

In this video, Mel get's jungle fever!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I do!

[@patricklefevre1342]

Great work, maybe a cheap beard trimmer could help with chopping up coconut fibre in bulk?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

oh, I only have mine, I might have to buy one!

[@mlpman246]

Reminds me of Jurassic Park! I love it!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I need me some dinosaurs!

[@dukewellington9308]

Great work, well done

[@TheTerrainTutor]

thanks mate

[@clockworkpanda8]

This guy is nuts but he is amazing at what he do.

[@jonathanj.1955]

It looks fantastic! What was your problem with palm trees again? Maybe I missed the explanation in this video, but I remember you saying you had a problem/you didn't like palm trees... What was it about?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I hate them!

[@readhistory2023]

If you want Burma terrain they had to be built.

[@euansmith3699]

I seem to remember Mel tried out a fairly expensive technique about a year ago, and didn't like the result.

[@jamessquibb7766]

I reckon those scatter pieces would double up in some lovely pacific island terrain! Also, when the camera wasn't close up on the tree's they all blended in and looked great. So I don't think you are far off smashing palm trees out of the proverbial park Mel.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

They could do well for pacific stuff, especially once I've nailed those resin ocean colours ;-)

[@jamessquibb7766]

I can just envisage those little wooden guard towers poking up through the canopy :D

[@jamessquibb7766]

I can just envisage those little wooden guard towers poking up through the canopy :D

[@TheTerrainTutor]

oh yes!

[@maxpula6441]

Trimming your straggly bits, eh? 😂😂

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Indeed!

[@davidcoots1634]

Mel, your channel is just great. You seriously need a 3d printer.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

maybe one day :-D

[@sjbonadonna]

@@TheTerrainTutor Endor 3 is $230 (US) and has so much more applications beyond just terrain printing. But the terrain printing is off the hook man. It's a level up for sure. ;)

[@ProfessionallyIdiotic]

Yes

[@Smale321]

Well, my friend tackled some cheap aquarium plants a while ago to make some exotic plant life and he got pretty nice results with washes as well. So perhaps you can test paint something with the goblin green as the primer and tackle it with a dark green wash or a mix dark green/a sort of a chestnut brown, perhaps even with a drop of yellow as well. Personally I would have kept 2 base colors from your four tests so you would create a nice variety of colors when brought together on one base plate. Keep the nice work up, always nice & interesting to see your vids!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I like finding a shade I like then working from that rather than different base shades, seems to get better results that way

[@davidcottam7967]

Cool look good

[@illsthaprophet]

Testors Liquid Cement for Plastic will give you similar results to the candle

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Cheers bud

[@thecripplingestofdepressio2686]

YES!

[@martindavidsen6279]

Thanks :) I wonder if you ever are Selling some of your stuff :) with regards

[@MrCrystalwarrior1]

I made some lovely punji stake traps using the cut off tips from cocktail sticks, glued down (Point up, of course) onto some cake board material, then added some mud/foliage, and painted the lot to match my own jungle terrain. Believe me, they make a game MUCH more unpleasant for your opponent, look truly nasty, and take a huge toll on the opposing force's health/morale if you make a few quick and easy rules up for them :->

[@TheTerrainTutor]

They're on my list to do as well mate

[@bentosan]

God damn son they look good as it is

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks buddy

[@yolandria]

Glad to see you facing your fears Mel. =) Only thing i can say about your color choices. You need a bit more yellow/tan highlights. At least that's how the palm trees look outside my window. But other than that. Great job as always. And remember...The Panda snipers are always watching! =)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I got that vibe with the bigger ones, time to play with my greens I think bud

[@GiantBoarMonster]

Got to trim one's straggly bits every now and then!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

only polite to!

[@CanadianPilotYHM]

I'm looking for Date Palm Trees (not coconut) for an Egyptian diorama. Any idea where I can find this?

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

A Toddy drink sounds delicious!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

a hot toddy is lovely mate

[@AKARazorback]

Love this terrain a lot! Is there a video of you making the denser pieces you show at the start? I'm curious how you've built this up etc :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

The whole build is in my big burma build playlist mate, enjoy!

[@AKARazorback]

Cool!

[@Redrik666]

Is it possible for you to put links to some of the items you use in these videos? Curious to see where you buy things like the trees from.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I just got them of ebay or wish I think mate, someones posted a link to them further down in the comments

[@40emperor10]

This will be perfect for my Myanmar build

[@mallumuttu4591]

NICE

[@stephendorsett1583]

Hi Mel, where did you get the flame spray cans from please. Have looked on internet and it's not coming up

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Amazon mate

[@euansmith3699]

Three cameras? Soooo smoooth.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Need a little repositioning but yeah mate, it's getting a lot better production wise

[@euansmith3699]

Give it a few more months and you'll be as smooth as Brian Cant.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Mr Playschool?

[@nebsie3010]

Quick question, where do you get your epvc and the plastic aquarium plants. I can only find expensive, or alive ones

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Wish.com and free scrap from sign printers

[@davidcrimlis2285]

Is there a link to where to get the palm trees from? please

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Amazon mate

[@garryeckert5929]

I've had a hot tuddy drink when I was about 6 yr old when I was sick with the flu. It mixed with whiskey a hot honey.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I had one when I was 17, honey and rum, reckon its the sugary bit that makes it a toddy

[@josdijkstra5937]

Cool stuff Mel, I've been lurking for such a long time. Where do you take commissions?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I don't do commissions mate

[@davidcottam7967]

Hi watt technique are you using

[@janinestokes4883]

GOOD MORNING

[@bdon5813]

Where did you buy those Palm trees?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Wish

[@bdon5813]

@@TheTerrainTutor lol thank you, it was a long day that day and realized it after the fact. I'm going to be ordering a bunch for a scarif board or two

[@benwooding1311]

Chloroform? hahaha. Chlorophyll Bose. ChloroPHYLL. Kez shouldn't let you live that one down.

[@aaronbono4688]

Yea, I caught that one right away. Do NOT get those mixed up!

[@gregbradfield1686]

Hi Mel who is the palm tree supplier?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Got them off wish mate

[@xaviakoantich1699]

Where do you ordered this palm trees?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

wish.com

[@Blipvertus]

Hot toddy! Ah, ha,ha,ha!

[@redgreen09]

whell loois good to me and got get to do some my self and will see as post sun day DR S tres day but sun day will be thare

[@erics745]

Can hardly find such palm trees for cheap prices

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Try wish.com mate

[@erics745]

Will do cheers

[@illsthaprophet]

There are two different kinds of design. Teleologic Design and Teleonomic Design. Teleologic Design is design that has a goal in mind and has an agent directing the course of the design. Teleonomic Design does not have a specific goal and does not have an agent directing it, rather there are mechanisms that cause behaviour and conditions that limit how that behaviour manifests. Evolution and Machine Learning are examples of Teleonomic Design. So, it isn't a mistake to say that they were designed to function in a certain manner. The pressures that caused Palm Trees to fit a certain biological niche did design them to function as they do.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

damn you sound like the wife! biological evolution in practice! lol

[@dannismith3038]

you ask for £1 a month on patreon but on the site its £1 per video? I dont have much money but do try to support my fav youtubers. £1 per video i cannot manage. Any possibility you can add another level?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Just select to back 1 video creation per month mate, so you'll only ever pay the single dollar no.matter how many videos I do.... And thank you, I'll really appreciate it mate

[@litahsr.8226]

I love the tree's I would like to see how you did it or please sent me a link thanks (the biggest tree) ---> prntscr.com/le5xjl

[@redgreen09]

whell loois good to me and got get to do some my self and will see as post sun day DR S tres day but sun day will be thare

[@TheTerrainTutor]

see you sunday mate