German Tanks - Track Color?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Greetings!

Can someone please let me know what recommended color/paint should be used for german tank tracks. I presume a steel color would be appropriate but what is recommended?

Thanks

Steve

2

Two simple methods that work for me.

1.Paint them black then drybrush them a metallic color.

2.Paint them a rust color then drybrush on some metallic.

3

…I tend to use browns and dark greys (maybe with some graphite highlights)…the pure metallics and silvers tend to look too bright…

4

I pretty much am the same as Manny…I use a redbrown, dark gray 2 to 1 mix, and then add metallic wear :

regards,

Steve

5

I used to paint them an overall gunmetal, then weather them with various washes, and chalk pasters, but honestly, its too much work. Right now I use a light flat brown/reddish colour overall, then just drybrush with a steel colour.

6

…some people tend to make the mistake of making them look too rusty (orange) or too metallic (silver)…one easy way to get a real world feel of the true color is a visit to any construction site…a quick look at a bulldozer track will give you some good ideas…in my experience, there isn’t pure rust on most tracks, but rather a “patina” of burnished steel which looks to be brownish with the contact areas in a dull grey-steel color…

7

Thank you for all your fine suggestions. I was doing the total metal finish with a lot of pastel work on top. I will try the red brown finish with drybrush afterwards to start with.

This is a great forum and thank you for all your help.

Steve

8

I actually use the metalizer method.

I paint my tracks with Model Master matalizer #1405 gunmetal, then i apply various kinds of pigments and then drybrush with chrome silver on points of cantact like the tread surface and the guide horns.

Here are some examples from a King tiger i built some time ago and a Tiger I that is in progress but where i have finished the tracks.

9

Although these are a bit dusty and crusty from sitting around for 60 years, they will give some idea of what they look like on the real thing. The manganese steel used for making tracks weathers to a characteristic dark brown-black color;

10

Wow! Nice models from both Crockett (Steve) and TMN1. You have provided a wealth of options. I am looking forward to finishing the next couple of armor kits I have going and will post pictures to get your comments.

Thanks

Steve

11

I’ve been stuck on this question too, but it varie for tanks, for intead a tiger willbe metalic grey but a amphibies tank like my LVT will be rust because of the water.