If you're looking to add a touch of realism to your Warhammer 40K Space Marines, focusing on the jump pack burners is a great way to bring your models to life. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the process of painting realistic jet burners, giving your miniatures that extra flair that makes them stand out on the battlefield. We’ll use an airbrush for some of the steps, but you can also achieve great results with a regular brush. Let’s dive in!
Paint and material list at the end of the article.
If you'd like to pick up any of these paints to try this for yourself then Visit Wayland Games. They have great prices and free shipping over £20. We use Wayland to buy most of our hobby supplies at Wargame Wares.
This is an affiliate link so we earn a small commission for any purchases made after clicking on this link. It won't cost you extra and helps to support us so that we can make more free guides and hobby content, thank you!
Step 1: Masking Off the Burners
The first thing you want to do is mask off the inside of the jump pack burner. For this, I use AK Interactive Elastic Putty. It’s easy to apply and remove, making it perfect for masking curved surfaces like burners. The purpose of masking is to protect the rest of the model from overspray, especially since we’ll be using an airbrush in the following steps. While you can do this tutorial with a brush, I prefer the airbrush because it provides smoother coverage and speeds up the process.
Step 2: Base Coating with White
With your masking in place, grab your airbrush and apply a base coat of Army Painter Air Matt White to the inside of the burner. The white base is crucial because it will make the subsequent colours pop, especially the fiery oranges and yellows that we’ll be using later. Ensure you get an even coat across the entire inner surface of the burner.
Step 3: Applying the Safety Orange
Next, we’ll build on that bright base coat by airbrushing Army Painter Air Safety Orange over the white. This step lays down the foundation for the fiery glow you want in a jet burner. Make sure to cover the entire inside area of the burner, but be mindful not to oversaturate it. The goal here is to create a vibrant orange that will serve as the backdrop for the gradients we’ll add in the following steps.
Step 4: Adding the White Ink for Gradients
To create a smooth gradient effect, dilute AK Titanium White Ink in a 50:50 ratio with Army Painter Airbrush Medium. This mixture will flow easily into the recesses of the burner, helping to establish a lighter foundation. Apply the ink carefully, starting at the circular area at the bottom of the burner and pushing it toward the vents that run up the sides. This method allows the ink to flow naturally, creating a soft gradient. I recommend doing two coats, allowing each to dry for about 20 minutes. While the ink dries, paint the outer edges of the vent with Vallejo Game Air Gunmetal to add some metallic detail.
Step 5: Creating the Fiery Gradient
Now, it’s time to add some warmth to that gradient. Mix Army Painter Air Safety Orange with Army Painter Air Neon Yellow in a 2:1 ratio. Be careful with the yellow, as it can sometimes have a greenish tint—adding more orange will help counteract this. Apply this mix over the areas where you laid down the white ink, working from the bottom of the burner up toward the vents. Use a clean brush to gently remove some of the paint from the bottom half, allowing more white to show through. This creates a transition from white-hot at the bottom to orange near the top. Give this layer about 20 minutes to dry before moving on.
Step 6: Highlighting the Hottest Point
With the gradient in place, it’s time to highlight the hottest part of the burner. Choose a bright white paint—any of your choice will work well—and carefully apply it to the small circular area at the bottom of the vent. This is where the heat is most intense, so a bright, clean white will simulate that scorching center. Take your time to get a smooth, even coat here, as this will be the focal point of the burner’s glow.
Step 7: Adding Depth with Red Ink
To add more depth and contrast to your jet burner, dilute Vallejo Game Colour Red Ink in a 1:3 ratio with Airbrush Medium. This will create a translucent wash that can be used to add definition and push contrast. Carefully apply this mix to the inner edges of the vent flaps and around the exhaust exits. Focus on the areas between the four metal plates that you previously painted with Vallejo Game Air Gunmetal. This red ink will create a subtle transition from the bright orange and yellow glow to the darker, cooler metal edges, simulating the cooler parts of the burner.
Step 8: Final Touches with Black Red
For the finishing touches, use AK Black Red to paint small dots or lines on the top edges of the inner vent fins. These tiny details add a bit more visual interest and contrast, mimicking the charred or scorched areas that might occur due to extreme heat. These small touches can make a big difference in the overall realism of the piece. I also added a bit more white to the bottom at this point to make it pop more. I've also put a picture below of how it looks outside of the lightbox, on my painting table (of course the rest of the model now needs finishing as well!)
And there you have it—a set of jump pack burners that look like they’re ready to send your Space Marines rocketing into battle! By taking the time to layer colours, create gradients, and add subtle details, you can achieve a realistic and striking effect that will make your models stand out - even from the tabletop. Whether you’re using an airbrush or traditional brush techniques, this method will help you bring the intense heat of the 41st millennium to your miniatures. Happy painting!
Paints and Materials Used:
If you'd like to pick up any of these paints to try this for yourself then Visit Wayland Games. They have great prices and free shipping over £20. We use Wayland to buy most of our hobby supplies at Wargame Wares.
This is an affiliate link so we earn a small commission for any purchases made after clicking on this link. It won't cost you extra and helps to support us so that we can make more free guides and hobby content, thank you!
- AK Interactive Elastic Putty - For masking off areas during airbrushing.
- Army Painter Air Matt White - Base coat for the inside of the burner.
- Army Painter Air Safety Orange - Main colour for the fiery glow effect.
- AK Titanium White Ink - Used to create gradients inside the burner.
- Army Painter Airbrush Medium - Mixed with white ink and red ink to improve flow.
- Vallejo Game Air Gunmetal - For painting the outer edges of the vent.
- Army Painter Air Neon Yellow - Mixed with Safety Orange for creating the gradient.
- Vallejo Game Colour Red Ink - For adding depth and contrast around the vent edges.
- AK Black Red - For detailing small areas on the inner vent fins.
These paints and materials will help you achieve a realistic and dynamic look for your Space Marine jump pack burners, ensuring your models stand out on the tabletop.