Got a question - well, kind of two questions - about painting tracks. In particular, M113 tracks (Tamiya rubber-band type)
Here’s my plan: lay a base of flat brown, paint the pads, then do a dark wash, then a dry brush of steel. My question is if this sounds like a good plan?
Painting the pads. Is there an easy way to mask them and airbrush them, or do I pretty much need to brush them individually?
Hello Jetmaker!
Maybe You’d like to check out how I did it - I wrote about it here (scroll down):
http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/146938.aspx?page=6
and here (one photo):
http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/165990.aspx?page=2
As for 2) it’s best to use diluted dark gray paint for the mud to kind of show through - that saves you from having “clean rubber on muddy tracks”. You only paint the working surfaces, so the edges help you, and it doesn’t have to be 100% accurate - the tracks are never perfect. On vinyl tracks you can speed up the process by sanding the outer pads - brown paint then wears off and shows the weathered rubber underneath - realistic, ain’t it? Granted, it’s a lot of work, but it’s doable. Good luck with your build and don’t forget to post some photos - have a nice day
Paweł
Thanks a ton, Pawel! I love the red-brown + gunmetal as a base color. After looking at your stuff, I think I’m going to lay down a flat black base, then a red-brown + gunmetal base on top of that, then lightly sand the pads like you did, then follow up with gunmetal or steel for contact and worn areas
Those are awesome builds! And your detail work is out of this world!
jetmaker - thanks a lot for your kind words! Glad I could help you some. Good luck with your build and have a nice day!
Paweł
Pawel, good advice on sanding the track pads, that will make them look like realistic. those pads get scuffed, gouged and worn down. T. Ellis