best zimm techniques? What worked and did not!

Welcome to the forums v8tj97!

Mo's your man for answering zim questions, hopefully he'll come along shortly and answer your question definitively. Lots of people have used Milliput with good results although Mo has a different formula that looks absolutely stunning on his finished kits.

Then there are those (including myself) that tremble at the very thought of attempting hand-made zim but one day aspire to greatness in employing this on a build.

Maybe you should try this http://firestorm1.topcities.com/how/zimmerit.htm This link was suplied by Phroosh otherwise known as Matt, the inventor of the model cretin.
I have also thought about using Tamiya's two part polyester putty it should be pretty good for zimmerit.

Hey v8tj97,

WBill67 is right; Moses is the man to talk to about zimmerit. I believe he uses polyester putty and he gets great results. He and a few of the other guys have also been discussing how to replicate the "waffle" pattern on the early Stugs. I have used a product called "Zim-It-Rite" with great success on my Tiger I and I'm currently using it on my Stug IV.

Okieboy

Welcome v8tj97 to the forums. That's some good advice, talk to the zimmerator Moses.

I've done one zim job with Squadron green putty thinned a little with liquid model glue, it worked okay, but it was hard to maintain consistency. I've been practising with a product called Zimm It Rite, a two part putty you can get at R&J Products seems to work very well, but as all have mentioned, Moses is the zim guy. I'm not even close to his league.

The hardest part about modelling Zimmerit is finding the right technique for you. The article that monrad posted is a fine method, but I find working with Milliput to be frustrating and very inconsistent. I have worked with Tamiya's Polyester Putty for a while now and find it to be the best putty for me when working on Zimmerit. I use Tamiya's Zimmerit Tool and thay are a perfect scale for 1/35th. Here are 2 pics of work that have been posted on this forum. Each was done with Tamiya's Polyester Putty and Zimmerit Tools.





Each of these kits were Zimmed in about an hour and half total modelling time. The sysytem is very easy. I have also used Zim-it-rite with very similar results but still prefer the Polyester Putty becuase of the working time and ease of masking. If you need any more help, please do not hestitate to email me at justaskmoses@aol.com.

Cheers

Mo

My 1st try at zimm., I also used tamiya polyester putty. This worked pretty good useing the tamiya zimm. tools. I have used tamiya type tools and some stamp type tools I got years ago somewhere. My biggest problem with this type is the fumes-I have to use a mask, and outside with the rest of the safety precautions. I've used Cavalier zimmerite sets,[much easier]. I have also tried an engraver, and drimmel tool.These, I need much more practice on! I known guy's who do it this way and you would never know it.
My biggest trick is to practice on something expendable like an old project, or a "closet queen" before trying it on my newest or best kit. I agree with moses, It's just a matter of what works for you. Good luck!

I really enjoyed using the technique Monrad posted above, but you don't get the eveness you see on the builds of Moses. But it was fun and easy, and I sort of like the effect anyway. I would like to try Tamiya's Zimm tools, but haven't got hold of any yet.
The one thing I like about miliput is the long working time; I don't feel rushed.

Welcome to the Forums, too.

Well on my tiger 1 I used squadron putty and 2 toothpicks superglued together (and to my thumb) and sanded them down. It was my first tank and first Zimm job and it taught me alot about tanks, zimm and the need to talk to moses first . I wouldnt use my style, its totally wrong.

Thanks to all. Anyone interested in another Panther build?

What is a good online source for the Tamiya putty and the zim tools?

I am not sure where to order the Tamiya Polyester Putty online, but any dealer who carries Tamiya products should be able to get it. I would try www.rjproducts.com. Rich is awesome and he is able to get anything and anything you need. He also carries Zim-it-rite which is along the same lines as the Polyester Putty.

Cheers

Mo