First attempt at Zimmerit from a "flyboy"

Looks great. Keep in mind that the Zimmerit on each tank varies so it doesn't have to ba a perfect match to all the pictures you've seen. Good luck with the rest of that tank.

Dan,
not to worry! Mo's Zim looks better than almost everyone else's!


practice, practice.
i am zimming my first vehicle too.
i think every new surface i do is a bit better than the one before,
but i have a long way to go.

my new discovery is to take one of the toothpicks that has round ends, but a
square center cross section, and cut it down so just the square part is left.
(probably a wooden match stick w/o the head would work too)
this makes a nice close quarters 'trowel' to even out the putty and to get a nice
thin layer before using the tool.

keep after it. you'll just keep getting better.

That is neat and beautifull, I had no idea it was supposed to look like that. But even if I had known, I don't think I could have done it like that .

Well, I guess my next try will be a bit better.

Thank you very much for the info, Mo.

Anyway, my wife saw me having fun with this tank and she went shopping.
After an hour she came back with Academy's 1/25 Jagdpanther, for herself, not for me

I must say it looks very impressive.

QUOTE: Originally posted by falcon039 At least you are trying it Dan. I have been wanting to but keep backing out.

Exactly, at least your trying and that is the first step to getting a really good method of applying Zim. If you search the forums you will see many good tips I have given on how to apply Zim. Your Zim looks ok, but it is your first time. Next time will be better, and so on and so on. The Putty you are using is really not the putty you want to use if you are doing Zim for the first time. Zim on Tiger II's was generally neat and even in most respects (of course there are exceptions). I hate reposting these same pics..but this is the same variant (obviously this is Tamiya's) with Zim I applied with Tamiya's Polyester Putty. Give me an email at justaskmoses@aol.com or MSN me at moses96thid@hotmail.com and I can give you some good one to one pointers if you ever need it.





Cheers

Mo

At least you are trying it Dan. I have been wanting to but keep backing out.

Tanks for the nice words of encouragement guys. As mentioned before, I really enjoy the zimmerit-job.
Anyway here's the next pic for you...

Looks better than the effort I made. I've seen both thick and thin applications even both on the same tank. Keep it up your on the right track.

Looks good to me. I don't think it's too thick given there really wasn't a standard procedure for its application, and most zimmerit was applied in the field. In fact, if you really think about it, zimmerit was to reduce the ability to apply magnetic mines/explosive devices to the hull....so i would think the thicker the better.

I did zimmerit on a Jagdpanther a long time ago, and mine (no pun intended) was about as thick as yours is and it turned out fine.

Either way, you've got a good start so far. Good luck with the rest of the build.

-Jeff

See I am not the only flyboy to try Zimm on my first tank ever built. You go Dan, finish it up and be proud.

It looks pretty convincing to me Dan. Like some of the other guys here, I'll be stepping off into the world of Zimmerit in the not to distant future. If mine comes out half as good I'll feel pretty good. I like the suggestion "Diggeraone" threw out on the table, it might be the way for me to go. Thanks for sharing your venture into Zimmerit thats how we advance our skills. semper fi, mike

Dan thats not bad for your first try.Where it is not covered on your first try and were there is so gaps or not connected I would leave and use as battle damage.You my want to try this the next time.Sence all Zimmit follows a certain pattern when applied,I would lay down about1/8" of putty and take a piece of cardboard from your kit box cut a small triangler pattern in it.The peice of cardboard you need to cut by 1"to 2" high and long. Using this cardboard cut in this pattern,you then can drag it across to form your shape on the putty.The triangler pattern is what you cut on the hight edge of the cardbroard this gives you a pattern and takes less time to do.That way after you have draged it down the lenght of the body,you can take the other side or stright edge and do your verticle lines.This will give you your desired pattern that you are looking for.
Heres an exsamples:





I know that these are not the best pictures but this is the best I can do with a oen camera. As you can see I made these out of plastic stock that I had.You can make them out of cardboard from the kit box.You just cut an 1/16" deep to 1/8" deep this will also give you your depth on your putty.Then you can use a knife or a small piece of plastic stock and bevell the edge to a piont to make your verticle lines.Hope this helps in future projects.Digger

QUOTE: Originally posted by Moses If you are going to use Tamiya Putty, I suggest doing only about 4 inch by 4 inch sections at a time or it will dry up on you.

So I discovered last night.

Isn't it great to be able to do some modeling while being at work

Definately not a bad first try. If you are going to use Tamiya Putty, I suggest doing only about 4 inch by 4 inch sections at a time or it will dry up on you.

Looks good from here, Dan!

Well, I must say, although this pannel is the only one I've zimmeritted yet, I hadn4t expected this job would be so much fun.
Actually, I've got a little idea, wich I'm not going to tell yet, but keep looking for a title that just isn't exactly "right"

dan viewing this as someone about to begin the journey you are on i can say it is very respectable. hope mine turns out as well.

joe

I used Tamiya-putty and a gear-wheel. But I have absolutely no idea how heavy the zimmerit is supposed to be.

Dan,
looks like a promising start.
maybe a bit 'heavy', but quite respectable.
you might want to start w/ a thinner coating of putty.

what did you use for putty & tool?