Could someone tell me a good method for painting vinyl tracks/parts?? I’ve tried a few methods but the paint always chips/flakes off at some point-lol-- And the after market individual links cost 2 times the original cost of the model[:p] Just wanted to say thanks in advance for any help!!
First things first, welcome to the forums[#welcome]. As far as the tracks go, the first thing you need to do is wash them with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly. Prime them with your choice of primer(I use an acrylic, from a rattle can), then you can paint them.
I use Humbrol paint on my vinyl tracks , and I have had no problems . I have 3 Tamiya M-60’s , ( M-60 A1 , A2 , and A3) that I built over 10 years ago , and no cracking or flaking on the tracks. But I guess it depends on how much you bend the tracks after painting , when adding them to the model . When I work with vinyl tracks , I connect the ends before painting , then when I am ready to instal them , I wrap them around the sprocket ( attached to the hull) first then install them along with the idler , this prevents undue stretching . ( I do a test fit before any painting .) The problem may be that you are using Acrylic paint on your tracks . I rarely use Acrylics ( except for weathering ), I like enamels. I am sure there are guys that can add more to this , in this forum.
Frank
“PERSEVERANCE”
P.S. Welcome to the forum , it’s a great place . Alot of good people with tons of advice ’ especially on " how to " stuff. Happy Modelling !
Frank
“PERSEVERANCE”
I myself use testors metalizers and let dry and then clearcoat them and after each paint coat clearcoat it, so far that seems to work on the afv club tracks.
We model rr’s use primer paints that are designed for for the plastic bodies of rc cars. This paint is designed for plastics such as polyvinyl and accetal. You can use your regular paint over the primer. Highly recommended to test on a scrap piece of plastic first
Ch
Hi blackwulf,
First [#welcome].
I use Floquil RR colors. These are laquers and should be applied in light coats. I start off by washing the tracks with some type of scouring powder (Ajax, Comet etc.) Then follow that with a washing in warm water with dish soap. Rinse thouroghly and let air dry. When it’s time to paint I use a dark brown (rail brown, tie brown). This is followed by a wash of dust colored paint (laquers or enamels) and I finish with a coat of pastel chalk.
Joe[:D]
First thanks for the warm welcomes!! Secondly–Thanks for all of the great advice!! I’m sure these methods will help me.[bow] This forum is like having hundreds of pros at your finger tips!! or wanna be pros like me!!
blackwulf,
[quote]
[wanna be pros like me!!/quote]
Hey, I resemble that remark.
I believe it won’t be long and you will be providing advice to help out some one with questions.
There are great people here and I’ve learned as much from questions others have asked as I do by asking questions myself.
Joe[:D]
[#welcome] i wash my tracks first a nd then paint them,i use hubrol paint as well.[:D]
I usually build tamiya models in 1/35 scale and although the tracks are
usually molded in vinyl, I never have any problems using either model
master enamels or tamiya acrylics…I usually overspray the tracks first with
a gunmetel and later an earth brown color…I’ll dry brush with steel or rust in the
appropriate areas and that’s that…
Not sure why you’re having that problem
Tank