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Painting Tracks

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  • Member since
    December 2013
Painting Tracks
Posted by jetmaker on Friday, September 4, 2015 5:35 PM

Got a question - well, kind of two questions - about painting tracks. In particular, M113 tracks (Tamiya rubber-band type)

1) Here's my plan: lay a base of flat brown, paint the pads, then do a dark wash, then a dry brush of steel. My question is if this sounds like a good plan?

2) Painting the pads. Is there an easy way to mask them and airbrush them, or do I pretty much need to brush them individually?

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Friday, September 4, 2015 5:53 PM

Hello Jetmaker!

Maybe You'd like to check out how I did it - I wrote about it here (scroll down):

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/146938.aspx?page=6

and here (one photo):

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/165990.aspx?page=2

As for 2) it's best to use diluted dark gray paint for the mud to kind of show through - that saves you from having "clean rubber on muddy tracks". You only paint the working surfaces, so the edges help you, and it doesn't have to be 100% accurate - the tracks are never perfect. On vinyl tracks you can speed up the process by sanding the outer pads - brown paint then wears off and shows the weathered rubber underneath - realistic, ain't it? Granted, it's a lot of work, but it's doable. Good luck with your build and don't forget to post some photos - have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    December 2013
Posted by jetmaker on Friday, September 4, 2015 6:21 PM

Thanks a ton, Pawel! I love the red-brown + gunmetal as a base color. After looking at your stuff, I think I'm going to lay down a flat black base, then a red-brown + gunmetal base on top of that, then lightly sand the pads like you did, then follow up with gunmetal or steel for contact and worn areas

Those are awesome builds! And your detail work is out of this world!

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Saturday, September 5, 2015 11:05 AM

jetmaker - thanks a lot for your kind words! Glad I could help you some. Good luck with your build and have a nice day!

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Burke, Virginia
Posted by tellis on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 10:54 AM
Pawel, good advice on sanding the track pads, that will make them look like realistic. those pads get scuffed, gouged and worn down. T. Ellis

T Ellis  Springfield, VA  http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t104/cycledupes/WWIIArmorBadge.jpg

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