I just bought a Tamiya Zimmerit Applicator.
Appreciate it if someone could share his experience in using this. I also would like to know what is used for the zimmerit coatings.
Thank you in advance.
I have never used the Tamiya one but the VLS one is too thin and hard to use. I think that the best zimmer I (IMO) have used is made by Rand J products in Washington State.
I prefer Show models paper zimmer, but hard to find.
You’ll want to get some some Tamiya two-part polyester putty. If I recall correctly, mix equal lengths of putty to hardener which should give you about 10 minutes working time. Spread it thin and smooth over the area to be zimmed. Then use your zim tool to scratch over the putty, sort of a scale version of how the Germans actually applied the stuff.
It’s a real good idea to experiment first, because the technique does require some practice to master. Do small sections. If you mess up, hopefully you can scrape off the putty before it has hardened.
I did it the way ABARNE described. Tape off the areas you don’t want zimmerit on. I put a little less of the green accelerator than I do the putty to give you a little more time to work. The stuff stinks to high heaven so crack a window.
Welcome wkchoong!
I just got mine a little while ago and used it here to simulate worn and damaged zim on a Sturmtiger.
I used the .05 one and applied the putty with it as if you were using a trowel for tiling.
Where’s Moses when you need him!!!
Ted
I was just wondering the same thing!
i use mine with Squardon white putty, i plan on trying it with miliput
ive got 2 sets of the Tamiya zim tools
The Tamiya zim tool set consistsof a short and long .05 and.07 trowel. I use Milliput. It is a good idea to mask the hull and turret where you don’t want the putty. I roll the milliput out to a thin consistency on a sheet of window glass, using talc to make sure I don’t stick. Once the sheet is rolled out to the proper thickness, I drape it over the area (such as the front slope) and trim the excess off with an exacto to the correct size. For 1/35th scale factory applied zim, the .05 trowel is the tool to use. One end is narrow to access tighter areas and one end is long for areas that are more accesible. I make the vertical impressions first (spacing, sometimes with a template) then fill in the horizontal with the tool. Works like a dream.
Steve
I did a bit of expirementation when I did my Panther. I wound up using about 2/3 hardener to putty to give me a little more work time. But it was still way short (my opinion). It seemed way under 10 minutes to me. Someone suggested I try Bondo hardener from the auto parts store and that seemed to give me a little more work time. It’s also much easier to squeeze out the hardener than from the Tamiya tube. Make sure you keep the threads of the putty tube clean. I didn’t and may wind up wasting over half the putty as I’m not sure I’ll be able to get the cap back off the tube without tearing the top of the tube off. Only make up a small amount at a time. I used a yogurt lid to mix it on.
The method I used the most was to scrape a small roll of the putty onto the zimm tool, then trowel it onto the model and texture it at the same time. That worked better for me than putting the putty down first then going back and texturing it after.
Don’t worry about getting a perfect patteren, the German’s didn’t.
Clean your (metal) tools with lacquer thinner before the putty hardens.
Having said all that, I’ve just ordered a pound of Apoxie Sculpt to give that a try. I’ve seen some impressive results using that and it’s pretty inexpensive. R and J’s Zimmitrite is supposed to be real good, too.
Good luck and remember to get your zimmerit pattern decided on first and then practice a few times until you see how it goes. Use an old model (I used my poor old Tamiya King Tiger II kit) or a piece of styrene.
Let us know how it goes
Based on that finished product, I’d say ausf had assumed the mantle of zimm god and should be recognized as such henceforth! [:D]
Thank you everyone for your valuable inputs. Really appreciated it. [:)]
Now, I need to go and find those putty described. I only have the basic Tamiya putty.
You are going to love it Bill. That’s what I used, you have at least an hour good work time, still pliable after that. Water clean up and just a pleasure to use.
Here it is before painting…
Man! Sure seems to go on “spotty”, though!! [swg][(-D][(-D]
Seriously, it looks really great.
What did you use to scribe the putty??
Tamiya’s .05, troweled on thin. When you mix up the ApoxieSculpt, a little goes a very long way.
Where can you purchase the Tamiya tools and the ApoxieSculpt?
WOW!
I ordered Apoxie Sculpt on Monday and got it in the mail today!! Super service!
It is made and sold by Aves Studios.
http://www.avesstudio.com/aves/index.html
I bought the 1 lb size in Natural (Cream) for $11.00. Shipping was another $6.00 and was priority (only way they offered it to me).
I can’t wait to try it.
Tamiya zimm tools are available through a lot of the online stores as well as LHS’s. Great Models has them in stock for $7.10. #TAM35187
But others should have them, too.
Thanks Bill, I’m going shopping![(-D][(-D]
RJ Products also makes a putty called Zimm-It-Rite that looks to be very similar. At least it has very similar working characteristics. It’s $10 for 90 grams (I have NO idea how 90 grams compares to 1 lb!). They also sell the MIG Productions zimm tool set. You can get both for $15.
Good luck.
Along these lines, do you need Tamiya’s knife to holf the things? or does the applicator fit in any standard hobby knife or snap blade knife? I suppose I should cut them out and try them out.
Ted