What’s the best way to paint vinyl tracks? I’ve read the hints on applying mud on them. What else do I need to do to make them look real. I can see that this is where the the pain in putting on plastic tracks can pay off. I’m just not ready for that headache.[banghead]
Thanks for the help![bow]
That would depend on the final results you want in that the local environment of the tank, tracked vehicle, or tracks stored in a barn or discarded on the beach. The basic primary approach that works for me is to clip and hang the female connection end so you can be hands free. I am also currently painting my vinyl tracks in 1:35 for a T34-85 which were generously donated to me by a very fine fellow Hobby Head straight up keepin’ it real, lots o’ love, Bro.
I start with Rustoleum, Ruddy Red Primer, spray canned directly onto both sides. This gives it a brown red base. After about 8 hours, follow with a wash of black or dark grey. Then drybrush according to your model’s local environmental needs.
note: ‘Celuclay’ works pretty weel for mud if needed.
Hope this helps.
just got home from work and cracked a beer…[:D]
My approach to tracks is this. I paint them Dark chocolate brown. I have a tin of iron oxide pottery glaze that I work into the paint after that. This leaves them looking bloody like metal but not rusty red, more of a deep burnt steel color. Then i go for the heavy dust and dirt (for dry country) using a Pastel wash of pastel powder and a mixture of water and alcohol. This looks like crap when first applied but let it dry and its a nice effect. I do that until I am happy with the look then if I need to add mud for wet terrain I’ll do that AFTER the tracks are mounted on the tank. Yes is limits access but if youo do it before you run the risk of cracking it a flaking it off trying to mount the treads. I like to use plaster/acrylic paint/herbs/sifted dirt mix for mud then stain it with oil paints.
But thats just me… Have fun and experiment and find what works for you…
This is all great stuff, and a very good subject for me to listen in on! I have only done modern armor tracks so far but I paint them a base coat of testers MM rust, followed by a liberal dry brushing of MM gun metal, followed by a dry brushing of steel. I then paint the pads black and attach to the model. After all is said and done, I weather with pastel chalk. Being surrounded by armor, this technique gets the vinyl tracks to look like the stuff sitting outside of my window.