Vallejo Panzer Aces "Track Primer"

What is this colour supposed to be? A dusty base colour for tracks or a primer colour for tracks (red would seem more appropriate). [%-)]

Julian

Dunno…That is, unless it’s a primer for making the paint stick better to vinyl tracks… But for me, the Base Color for tracks is Steel and if they have pads, they get painted Testor’s Rubber. After that, I weather them… I like to have stuff painted factory -fresh then weather it, same as in the real world…

I’ve just bought my very first Vallejo paint set (face-painting colors) but haven’t tried them yet… I’ve been using regular enamel, oils, & acrylics for so long, I’m not sure I can learn a new way, lol…

No, it’s a paint colour and not a real primer. I started using Vallejo around Christmas and the more I buy and use the more I like them. [2c]

for tracks I start with red automotive primer then I hit them lightly with green or mustard depending color tank is. After that I dry brush with steel then a dull silver in areas of steel to steel contact.

http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/Extras/documentacion/FolletoPanzerAces.pdf

#70.304 - It appears to be an earthy brown colour.

HVH: The first time you try them, you’ll probably be thinking “What the ***? Why do people rave about this stuff? It looks like crud” and may be tempted to trash the lot.

IF you go straight from the bottle, more than likely it will look like crud. It may skin on your brush and not apply cleanly. However, once you thin it (start at 1:1 with distilled/demineralised water and adjust as required) it will start to make sense. The secret with Vallejos is to not try to achieve one coat coverage - start with a nice flat primed base and build it up in layers. The tutorial at the bottom of this page may be helpful: http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/asp-inc/_modelis_princip.asp?p1=ing&p2=modelcolor&p3=

I drybrush Vallejo Chocolate brown over a black primer base for tracks. Then appropriate polished steel dry brushing and Mig pigments to finish.

Vallejo is superb paint once you get the hang of it, no brushmarks whatsoever.

Cheers

Mike

Tausand Dank, Phil… I painted a face with them lastnight and that’s exactly what I was thinkng, lol… Skinned-over, brush marks, blending? HAH!

Thanks man… May have saved a 36-dollar investment, lol…

You’re welcome HVH. [:)]

The first time I tried using them, I was trying to do some worn edges/scratches. Tip of a 3/0 brush into unthinned dark grey - the brush was “skinned” by the time I tried to apply it and I’m thinking “what am I going to do with this stuff?”.

You do need to think a little differently. You probably won’t be able to edge-blend the way you’re used to with enamels. Think in terms of water-colours - layering, rather than blending. The best analogy I can think of is controlled translucent washes. Don’t flood the brush, apply in thin layers to build the required depth. Applied thinly, it will dry in a few minutes - you can “layer” in about 10 minutes (or less) without it lifting the underlying paint. Thats about all I can suggest for now - I’m still coming to grips with mine.

HvH,
Here is a link to Vallejo’s web site. Cut and paste it. I could not get it to hyperlink, sorry. Once there click model color, and at the bottom is a tutorial on using the paints. They are rather nice to work with once you learn how they behave. I know, for I used to work exclusively with enamels and oils.

www.acrylicosvallejo.com

Cheers
Dave

Hi Gentlemen,

thanks for the input and I think MM answered my question. Track primer is evidently a base colour to apply to the tracks before weathering. Will try it on my E-100 build. Once you get used to these paints you will love them.

Julian

Thanks for the link, Hughes… That’s the ticket.

HvH- You are most welcome. I’ve gleaned much good info from you on this site. It is nice to pay a bit of it back. The biggest tip that helped me, I saw listed earlier in this thread. Layer the colors. Especially with the base coat. These paints really shine when you learn highlighting, shadowing, tinting. Good luck and enjoy

Thank you gentlemen for the info on the track primer. I picked up the same Panzer Aces set. Saw that color and thought ???

Cheers
Dave

Hi

“Track primer” is a brownish grey that can be easily achieved with a mixture of 50% German Grey with 50% Flat Earth (using Tamiya references, as an example), if you do not have Vallejo at hand.