How to tackle an Elefant....

meant to say BEFORE or AFTER assembly in item #1.  Whoops.

Don't have an answer for you but I'm curious about the Zim.  You say they are stickers?  I have not seen this yet, are they literally stickers that just stick on or what?  Would be interested to see them.

This is only a guess sense I'm not familiar with what your speaking of.  My guess is that a good coat of Future over everything should protect it but see what everyone else thinks.

Good luck and do post your build 

Rob, the stickers are also manufactured by Tamiya. you can see them at the bottom of the ad on page #19 of the December FSM.  the idea is they are a subtler texture that fumblers like me could do with putty.  Wish me luck.

I've never used the sticker stuff before but I install the glue on AM resin zimm after the panels are together and before attaching the parts. That way gives me better control on the corners and edges.

Tony lee

The Tamiya zimerrit "stickers" are junk.  I bought a set to see how they were.  Totally useless. The texture on them is almost non-existant.  Once painted, the texture becomes almost invisible.   On the plus side, I cut out and test fit some of the parts, and they did fit pretty good.  You still need to add texture to the edges where the parts meet, and the stickers will not conform to the rounded vision blocks.  To answer your questions if you still want to use them - add them after the main hull parts are assembled but before the details.  Solvaset wont harm the stickers.

The stickers magnified:

The sticker painted:

Here is some hand-applied zimmerit on Tamiya's Elefant that is in progress:

Thanks for the input.  Kind of dissappointed about the stickers...  looked a whole lot easier.  I can't do hand applied that even comes close to your work.

Wow,it seems that Tamiya really dropped the ball with that add on Zimm

I was some of their zimmerit for a Mid Tiger, but I will so pass. Thanks for the info.

Hi buddy,

Wow - Tamiya's attempt at 'Zimmerit' is pretty poor and, tbh, plain lazy (imo).

It's not well defined and crisp like it should be - shame on Tamiya as this is a really expensive kit too!

I've just had my birthday and asked the parents for Dragon latest Elefant variant with moulded-on zim. Dragons latest pre-Zimmed kits are very good imo. I can't wait to start this one!

Here you go - link:

http://www.dragon-models.com/catalog/dml/new/6465/6465-poster.htm  

• As for you not being able to add your own Zim I'd say to you - "WOAH"!

I've only needed to do it once but on a 1/48 StuG and it wasn't that bad. At least with the Elefant you don't need to do the whole vehicle - just the parts along the hull walls and front and back. Perhaps you could add your own putty applied Zim on areas where it's easy to apply i.e. the side walls and front armour. You can use the stickers for the tricky bits and you can leave a lot of damage on it on areas that you struggle with - just paint these spots with primer red.

I reckon the side wall runs would be pretty easy. Note how high the Zim goes up the side and put masking tape on the area above where the Zim stops so it will be nice and tidy when removed or use a scalpel to tidy up the top edge. Putty it on and use a flat bladed screwdriverto make 'impressions' in vertical rows OR even better just get a proper sized toothed cog like from a radio controlled vehicle kit. Mount it on a strong paperclip and roll it down the side - it works a treat!

Before you commit to the stickers Google about making and adding your own Zim and you'll do a good job. I used WHITE Milliput but the guys on here may suggest a better putty to use.

If you've already done the stickers then no problem - just make the very best of what you have. I'm just very surprised that these stickers were the best that they could do?

Go for it! You'll be VERY surprised at how easy home made Zim is to apply. You can test it on a piece of plastic card etc first.

All the best and good luck!

Ben

just put the stickers on and have fun. i'd like to see it when your done. put e'm on after you build it.   i'm getting them and see how they work this might get me off Sherman's for a bit. and i need too have sometime off. i have six on the work bench and six waiting for weathering. ugh but i want to see what that zim looks like for myself. thanks for this post.

Clay

vonryan

just put the stickers on and have fun.

Not trying to start a negative flame post here, but are you implying that but not using the crappy stickers and striving for a better looking zimmerit one can't enjoy it or have fun?  Why is it always thought by some that by trying improve a kit, or correct a detail that one is not having fun?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ i have spent Hundreds of dollars on Photo etch crap and fix EVERYTHING on all kits and all kits are a mess. just what degree? but and i'll bet i'll make what you think is crap look like the best Zim work ever. and if not you can have my cancer.

Clay 

I'm not a skilled builder but I have put my own zim on a model and its not too difficult.

I used 'Ronseal' crack filler, a general crack filler that you can keep moist and workable with water.

Working time can be quite lengthy and its cheap to buy...cheers....Kenny

thanks for the side by side Bronto.....now we all have a choice on what kind of fun we want to have.

Thad