Weather tracks

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I’v watch several you tube videos probably on weathering tracks now I’m really confused I’m building 1/48 tamiya m1a2 tank would like to do something different other than paint them black not interested in mud and dust just want realistic look. They are plastic link to link tracks. I have vallejo rust and stain paint kit and tamiya arcylic. Interested in a simple 3 or 4 step process I’m new to this part simple is good.

Thanks

Armor

2

The tracks on an Abrams consist of steel links with rubber pads. I would paint them first with XF-85 for the rubber then paint the areas around the pads with a 70:25:5 mix of XF-68, XF-69, X-7 for the rusty steel.

Hope this helps.

3

Unless you want to show a vehicle thats been sat around for a while, ditch the rust.

Paint XF-69 then dry brush some steel, you might have to use Tamiya silver if you want to stick to that brand, but i find it does not dry brush well. Not sure about the next step with what you have, not familiar with those. But i would follow that with a raw umber wash, oils are my preffered product.

4

I’d virtually avoid any silver on tracks except maybe the flat sides of the center guide teeth. The tracks, as noted, are black rubber and when new there is a sticky tar like coating on the metal parts. This usually gives away to a brownish, almost rust colored metal tint. Think of a manhole cover when you walk by on the street. Rust colored, but not really rusty.

5

Great advice, Rob!

Best way you can replicate this is:

  1. Paint the tracks brown overall.

  2. Light wash of Raw Umber oil.

  3. Drybrush with Dark Gray or Metallic Gray

  4. Paint the rubber parts the appropriate shade.

5 Lightly drybrush the rubber pads with same dirt color or light tan.

That’s what I would do. [:)]

6

Thanks Doog and Rob great info picture great to

7

Rob, are those rubber blocks on the inside of those tracks.

8

Not Rob, but yes. Abrams track has rubber blocks on the inner surface as well as the outer.

9

Thanks Gino, learn somthing new every day.

10

Also, if you look closely at the metal parts of the edges of the tracks, including the end connectors, you’ll see tan spray paint overspray from when the tanks were repainted.

I tend to use a brown or burnt umber color for the track base coat. I’ll weather the track pads as I would other rubber items and the metal parts accordingly.

11

Looks like traces of paint on the side of the rubber on the road wheels as well.