Zimmerit pics of work in progress for Redleg

Believe it or not, I can't get my hands on any of the Poly Putty! Squadron doesn't seem to carry it, and Great Models doesn't stock it! I don't have many other choices for "plastic" shops around here. I called Great Models and ordered a tube (1 to 2 weeks, but better than none!). I suggested to them they might want to start stocking it, so all you guys that can't find it anywhere local, call and get it on order with them!!!! LOL! They do have the Tamiya tool set in stock at the moment, and one by Royal, I think.

Anytime Edog...make sure you get some pics up of the Tiger 1 when you can.

Cheers

Rob

Moses, thanks for the info. yah, i tried washes, but i guess i just didnt get them dark enough. well, im going to put a wash on a Tiger 1 with zim today. we'll have to see how it turns out.

Hey edog, thios model is actually fully constructed at the moment, minus the tracks. As for your questions...

1) The Tamiya Tool set is to scale. The #7 tool is for Tigers and King Tigers, as well as for Brummbars. The #5 tool is for all other Panzer III's, IV's and Panthers. My advice on painting the zim to have it stand out, is to first basecoat and camo your model. Then give the zim a wash (oil, enamel or acrylic is fine), then after the wash dries, dry brush the zim on it's high points with the respective lightened basecoat. This will darken the recess areas, and hightlight the raised, thus bringing attention to your zim.

2) The normal ratio for the Polyester putty is about 50 parts putty to 1 part catalyst. The more catalyst the faster the drying time, and vice versa for a longer drying time. With a 50:1 ratio, you will have a solid 10 minutes before th putty becomes unworkable. Which is more then enough time if you are using the Tamiya tool.

As for purchasing the putty, I get mine through my locol hobby store, which carries all Tamiya products. 1 tube of putty is enough to zim up at least 4 King Tigers.

Cheers

Rob

Redleg -

It's made by Tamiya. (See the post to me above from Erock68. I have found it listed at greatmodels.com but it doesn't show as being "in stock" I will be ordering some from them today. Hopefully, they will get in more than one tube! I have tried both the Tamiya Basic and Epoxy type putties and haven't had much success with either. Probably my technique (or lack there of!!)

Good luck

Bill W.

that's very cool, I think this weekend I'm going to try to finnish a few of my projects
that I haven't finnished yet like my paladin, my p-61, and various german tracks that are trackless.
but that tiger II is outstanding! I'm going to have to try that poly plaster stuff, can you spit out a manufacture name ? I think I might have to get the post exchange to order me some.

Nice job Moses. A couple questions if you don’t mind…

1) Have you painted a model after using the Tamiya tools for zim. yet??? The last one that I did with the Tamiya tools, the zim did not show up well after painting. While I believe that the tools are to scale, im not sure that they provide enough of a contrast for all that hard work to show up well. Anyway, I was hoping you might have some advice for me.

2) Do you know if you can vary the setting time on the Tamiya putty with the catalyst?

Thanks for the pics Moses.

i,ll have to get some of that
i kneed to get the courage up to start my Panther Ausf A late

wipw,

Here it is.

After I saw Moses' pics, I bought 2 tubes and Tamiya's Zim tool!

Rob,

Wow! What can I say. I've tried several methods and puttys on an old Tamiya King Tiger turret. I wound up stripping it all off. (No, it wasn't easy!! lol) What a job you have done. I bought a set of Eduard's photo etch for my DML Elefant, but am pretty unhappy with it. Your pics inspire me to try another "strip and redo" for it!

Is it possible for you to scan the box of the putty you used? I've seen Tamiya's Basic type and their two part (ribbon) epoxy putty, but I don't think I've seen the type your talking about. If you could share a pic of the box, I'd know what ot look for.

Thanks, and again, terrific!!

Bill W.

Isaah I have never used spakle for my zimmerit but I know it can be done. Most modellers who use spakle use the screwdriver method if I am not mistaken, and the spakle, even thinned down, might be difficult to use with Tamiya's tool. Practice on sheet styrene before ever trying a new technique on a model. Nothing worse then ruining a 40 dollar kit. Try the Polyester Putty, you will not be disappointed.

Thanks guys..like I said, with a little practice, the rewards are far better then using prefabricated zimmerit.

Erush..the putty adheres very well to the surface once dried. Unlike Epoxy Putty, you do not need to scribe the surface for better adhesion. You can simulate battle damage very easily. The Polyester putty is very easy to work with for the first 5-10 minutes, so you can use some basic low tack tape, tear it in irregular pieces and put on model before applying the zim. Once the Zimmerit is applied to the section, you then remove the tape. I didn't simulate that on this model, for I am going for a more complete Tiger II, one that has just entered the battle field. As for it being permanant, I have to say yes....once the Putty toatlly cures it is just as solid as an Epoxy Putty (it can be sanded as well.

Ron it would be my pleasure to do some Zimmerit tips for the hints and tips section. Just let me know, and I can start up a new project showing how to do it from start to finish.

Thanks again guys for the kind words, and I really hope these pics persuade a few of you to give it a try.

Cheers Rob

Question. I'm using plaster compound for an Elefant. I know it's too thick, and it's ok for this one. But for the future, if I use spakling again, is there a way to thin it down?

that looks really good. i probably would of gone for the aftermarket zimmeret. i wish i could do it like that it looks cool

Very Impressive Moses!!! I'm sold on the idea for sure. I"ve got to get to my hobby shop and get some "stuff".

Does that putty "chip and flake" off good for damage weathering after it's dry? How well does it adhere to the plastic and does it, how do I say this...I guess I'm trying to ask what kind of bond does it make? Is it very permanant (chemically bonds) or can it be chipped off fairly easily (just sticks kind of bond)??

Thanks, and again, that looks awesome!!

Eric

Spectacular Zim on the Tiger ll, Moses!!!

I think you should do a tutorial for us in the HInts and Tips section. The results are quite impressive.

Awesome, Moses. You must have a steady hand. Were you a surgeon in a former life?

Very neat job, Moses!

Once again....art work!

i think you should post a tutorial on RonUSMC's gallery site on your zimmerit technique.

Mike

Fine bit of work on the Zimmerit Rob ..... so this is what the Tiger II looked like before it met one of my mighty Shermans. Such a cute little tank. LOL

Honestly ... your Zimmerit work to this point is flawless. It is going to be really interesting when you start to rough it up a bit and weather it. I think it'll be a fine finish.

Maybe I could just mail you my model and you could return it when your finished applying the zimmerit. Ha Ha. I think that I'll find an old model(steal one of my sons, just kidding) or get a sheet of styrene and practice before I do it for real. And if that fails to look a quarter as good as yours did, then I'll whimp out and buy some.

That is amazing Zimmerit. It makes my King Tiger look very inferior. (although my new stuff looks good) I'll just curl up in this dark corner now.

Thanks tigerman, actually you do not need to apply the putty that thick (about .5 millimeter). Tamiya Poleyester Putty is very easy to work with for about 5-10 minutes, so I spread a layer across a section with a putty spatula and the starting from left to right move the tool at a slight angle, jogging it up or down every 2 mm or so to break up the pattern. The Putty is also very easy to remove if you get it on a part you do not want it without crazing the plastic. The application of the zimmeirt took about 3 modelling sessions. I would do the right and front side of the hull, then after that do the right and front side of the turret. Then do the opposite sides the next day.

I hope all try it, because I will never use Epoxy Putty again when doing zimmerit.

Holy Moses!(bet you've never heard that one), now that's what a Tiger II should look like. If you saw mine you'd wet your pants. The pics turned out great by the way. Question 1: How thick did you apply the putty before using the tool? Question 2: What did you use to apply it? Question 3: How long did it take you to apply from start to finish? Thanks yet again.