Kalashnikov-47 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Hi... I've built a few tank models, but the tracks have always been lacking. Looking for a better way to do it. Would prefer to do it by brush painting, but all methods are welcome! Many thanks! - Patrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fishwelding Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 (edited) I use several different techniques, depending on the build. My lazy way is to hit them with a Testor's spray can of "Flat Earth." After this has dried, I brush on some diluted burnt umber acrylic paint, and then dry brush with tans, grays, and lastly some steel. More recently, I've sprayed 'em (but could have easily just brush painted them) with a very dark acrylic, black or brown, and then successively dry brushed them with lighter and lighter browns. Last, I mixed some oil paint brown with some silver (Tamiya paint pen, but Testors Enamel might work as well), and drybrushed that. It produced an astonishingly good-looking rusty/polished steel look. I'll remember that in future. I've heard told that brushed Testors enamel won't adhere properly to "rubber band" tracks. The spray can stuff does okay, but if brushing, stick to acrylics for the basecoat. Edited October 8, 2009 by Fishwelding Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tank Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I find this to be a guide on how to do it. I used in 1/72 and liked the result. http://s3.zetaboards.com/readersforum/topic/206368/1/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-Gabe- Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I don't recommend painting of vinyl tracks... 2 reasons: 1) the paint just doesn't hold on to them and crumbles. 2) the track might get damaged in the far future due to chemecal reaction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fishwelding Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 The older (prior to the 1990s) tracks don't hold paint as well as styrene. But they still hold paint well enough for a shelf-model, with careful handling. The only soft-material parts I've ever had go bad after a long period of time were uncoated DML tires on an old BTR-70. There's lots of reasons to go with aftermarket tracks, but in many cases you can still make decent armor models with the kit tracks, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I don't recommend painting of vinyl tracks...2 reasons: 1) the paint just doesn't hold on to them and crumbles. 2) the track might get damaged in the far future due to chemecal reaction. That is not exactly true in regards to painting them, although stretching them will pull the paint away. I use acrylic paints as per normal practice for me. Flat black, followed by chocolate brown dry brushing. Highlights treated with polished steel. After that I use MiG pigments to add mud and dust. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 MadMike is correct above. Vinyl track can be easily and effectively painted and weathered in the way he describes. Here is a great tutorial thread that explains it in more detail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-Gabe- Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Thanks for the link! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kalashnikov-47 Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 Thanks, guys, I really appreciate the input. I'm working on a Dragon 1/72 Tiger, which has the soft "rubber band" tracks. I've been told these later manufactured tracks are more "friendly" to paint and cement. Hopefully. I'll get some decent results. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Thanks, guys, I really appreciate the input. I'm working on a Dragon 1/72Tiger, which has the soft "rubber band" tracks. I've been told these later manufactured tracks are more "friendly" to paint and cement. Hopefully. I'll get some decent results. That would be the beige/tan DS ones? They are excellent to use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kalashnikov-47 Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 Hi Mike... No, these are black. I've brushed some rust colored paint on them. Will wait a day or two before applying the next color. I have the Dragon T-34/76, Stug IV, and King Tiger kits with the tan DS tracks. Also have an old ESCI T-34/76 with some gawd awful silver colored soft plastic tracks that are definitely going to need replacing! - Patrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Dragon's old rubber band tracks were vinyl, before they moved over to DS type. You should be fine with them though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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