tracks

I tried this on a 1/72 Tiger i built.
When the tracks were panted and put on and contected to the bottom piece i heated up a piece of thick but not to thick wire and it slid into the plastic making its own hole. i put the wire where i new the tracks saged. The wire was hard to see after i painted it and the top was placed. I got this method from an article in FSM a few moths ago.
I dont know if this helps but at leaste i can say i tried.

Depends a bit on what the tracks are on Levi. If it's something like the Tiger or Panther, you can tie them down with a piece of string. The Panzer 3 or 4 are probably best done the way John did his with a piece of rod through the side of the hull. But if it's a Sherman, no worries .... no sag.

As far as painting goes, this is the method I use for all steel tracks.

Base coat of gunmetal.
Dry brush with rust.
Dry brush with steel.
Burnish with graphite.
Dust with pastel chalks.

I do the same as sherm , except one thing , I use a product called" sophisticated finishes" iron surfacer and rust in a bottle , theres nothing like using the real thing to make a simulation , this stuff has iron powder in it , its slightly grainy when painted on , you let it dry then apply the ruster and there you have it , rusty tracks ! I also hit them with a thinned out humbrol dark or light earth airbrushed on to simulate just that

Shermanfreak, if you don't mind my asking, exactly how do you use the graphite?

No problem Buff ..... what I do is grind the lead of a pencil down in to dust. Then I use a very hi-tech piece of equipment (my index finger) and dip it into the graphite. While holding the tracks in the other hand, I vigorously rub the entire track (if it's all steel track) until I achieve the desired results. A very simple way to get a metallic look.

If it's a track that has rubber shoes, then I'll only apply the graphite the the end connectors and horns.

Wow. Thank you all! Now I'm set. Thanks again

QUOTE: Originally posted by spector822002 I do the same as sherm , except one thing , I use a product called" sophisticated finishes" iron surfacer and rust in a bottle , theres nothing like using the real thing to make a simulation , this stuff has iron powder in it , its slightly grainy when painted on , you let it dry then apply the ruster and there you have it , rusty tracks ! I also hit them with a thinned out humbrol dark or light earth airbrushed on to simulate just that

I really like these products also. The nice thing is when you put the coats of the rust on you can immidiately take a rag and wipe down the high (or metal to metal) areas so they do not rust.

John