Roll Bar Padding

Has anyone got anything special they do to simulate Roll Bar Padding in a NASCAR Winston Cup car?

I’m doing Davey Allison’s rookie year car and was torn between just painting the padded area’s black or maybe use black tape wrapped length-wise around the roll bar. That would cause another problem as the tape will start to peel off with time.[:(]

What do you guys usually do???

Hi one idea that i had / used and think looks ok was to use “duck tape” cut into the width i need and wrapped around the roll cage then painted mat black. i would try it on some sprue first to make sure it looks right for your model because if it isn’t it won’t come off your cage it’s been on my Escort rallycar for 8 years now and hasn’t peeled yet. hope this helps…Greg [8D]

If the cage is in pieces I have used shrink wrap tubing and it looks great.

OOPS!!!

I already put all but 2 pieces of the roll cage together (I wanted to get them painted as one).

Oh well it’s looking like the winner will be duct tape. Thanks guys.

You could use insulation from electricial wire. Cut the wire to the length you want, then cut it down the middle length wise, pull the wire out and press it over the area you cut it to length for and you’re done. Wire comes in many different colors, sizes and is permanently pliable, thus making it a model necessity. I’ve gone as far as using fine wire for fingers on 1/35 scale figures. Anyway I hope it works out with what ever you use and I would like to see it when you finish it…

Hi Tim. Lonewolfs idea sounds better than mine. I’ll try that one when i (eventually) build that Tamia Zakspeed Capri…Cheers Lonewolf…Greg

I like the wire insulation idea. You know I think I got just the right size stuff in my garage. Cool tip, thanks Lonewolf.

Hello,

All sound like great methods so, I figured I would add my two cents in here; You could also use electrical friction tape which would give the the matte black finish without the painting. But, I do like the idea of using heat shrink tubing once I have painted the pieces individually for a much tighter fit without the hassle of any peeling later in life. But, I would imagine that using any of the methods would last for many years and who knows by then you may be ready for a different look for that particular kit.

George

Tim,

I was going through some old issues of SAE this weekend and found an article where a guy used model railroading tar(?) for insulation. The issue was back from 2000(April I think?). When I get home tonight I’ll see if I can find it and shoot it on over to you. The completed project looked very convincing.

Carlos

Ok, found the article.
Actually what it turned out to be was a breif description of what one person used in their rally car.
Anyway, he used model railroad self adhesive asphalt.
Sounds like it should work!
Sorry to take so long to resopnd!
Good luck,

Carlos

Carlos, If you could scan it and e-mail me I would like to see it. Or you could copy and send snail-mail. No real hurry though (I only have 4 models going right now).[:p]

Hi all,

I am mainly an Armor modeler but, I have about 10 NASCAR Winston cup kits under my belt. This is a project I am working on…Dale’s Daytona victory car.

I used GB shrink tubing for the roll bar padding. To tie it on, I dipped black thread in white Elmers glue and wiped off the excess with my finger (the glue will help strengthen the thread) I let it dry overnite. I cut a slit on one side of the tubing, slid it onto the roll cage and tied. It’s time consuming but, it looks realistic.

Looks Great!!!

Erock 68, that looks great!!! I’m going to have to try that on my NASCARs. Thanks for the info.

BTW, did you apply any heat to the tubing after tying it down, to shrink it a bit, or did you just leave it?

Ray

No heat applied. I did put a small amount of white glue on the bar before adding the tubing. This helps keep it in place while tying.

I’ll try to get theat article to you, but I think Erock68’s idea looks better!

Carlos

Erock68, that looks great!

Erock68, that does look great.

I used the black wire insulation suggestion this weekend. I think looks good. I’m trying to buy a digital camera. When I do I’ll post a pic and see what you guys think of the result.

Holy crap that looks fantastic. Just in time for the project I’m doing too.

therriman,
I could scan it in and send it out, but it really doesn’t have much more description than what I wrote before, and the photo did look good, but there wasn’t a whole lot of detail to see.
I’ll get it to you this weekend!
Carlos