I know this is talked about alot. I just want to know what every one does when painting steel tracks.(colors,dry brushing etc…) also HOW DO YOU MAKE THE TRACKS SAG!!![:(!] thank you for your help.
Levi
I tried this on a 1/72 Tiger i built.
When the tracks were panted and put on and contected to the bottom piece i heated up a piece of thick but not to thick wire and it slid into the plastic making its own hole. i put the wire where i new the tracks saged. The wire was hard to see after i painted it and the top was placed. I got this method from an article in FSM a few moths ago.
I dont know if this helps but at leaste i can say i tried.
Depends a bit on what the tracks are on Levi. If it’s something like the Tiger or Panther, you can tie them down with a piece of string. The Panzer 3 or 4 are probably best done the way John did his with a piece of rod through the side of the hull. But if it’s a Sherman, no worries … no sag.
As far as painting goes, this is the method I use for all steel tracks.
Base coat of gunmetal.
Dry brush with rust.
Dry brush with steel.
Burnish with graphite.
Dust with pastel chalks.
I do the same as sherm , except one thing , I use a product called" sophisticated finishes" iron surfacer and rust in a bottle , theres nothing like using the real thing to make a simulation , this stuff has iron powder in it , its slightly grainy when painted on , you let it dry then apply the ruster and there you have it , rusty tracks ! I also hit them with a thinned out humbrol dark or light earth airbrushed on to simulate just that
Shermanfreak, if you don’t mind my asking, exactly how do you use the graphite?
No problem Buff … what I do is grind the lead of a pencil down in to dust. Then I use a very hi-tech piece of equipment (my index finger) and dip it into the graphite. While holding the tracks in the other hand, I vigorously rub the entire track (if it’s all steel track) until I achieve the desired results. A very simple way to get a metallic look.
If it’s a track that has rubber shoes, then I’ll only apply the graphite the the end connectors and horns.
Wow. Thank you all! Now I’m set. Thanks again
I really like these products also. The nice thing is when you put the coats of the rust on you can immidiately take a rag and wipe down the high (or metal to metal) areas so they do not rust.
John