Rusted Tracks?

Richard wale · Post by **Richard wale** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:28 pm

Can anyone point me in the right direction for the best paint to use for the spare rusted tracks on the turret sides, to get a similar finish to John Coates excellent KT.
Many Thanks
Richard W

Kent Wiik · Post by **Kent Wiik** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:29 pm

Hi Richard

One often sees models of Panzers with its spare track links having a heavy coat of rust.
This is sadly not historically correct!

German track links assembled or spare was all coated with a blackish paint to sustain rust.
The links in use wore off the paint over time while the spares hang there fairly intact with minor rust stains at areas damage by shrapnel.

Dust and dirt yes, rust no.
This also goes for the C-hooks
So please all, stop the rust-maniac. The items look as 60 year old battlefield findings

Please look at the Tim Bowman Panther, that is how things looked.

One other thing is rusted welds...well, the welds are possible the last thing to rust on a tank.
Look at random outdoor stored ww2 tank and you see.

Cheers
Kent

Mike Kasputis · Post by **Mike Kasputis** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 1:52 am

I agree 100% with Kent on this.
Here is a link to a review of the new Panther book that just came out, read the first three sentences of the last paragragh if you want to know how to paint/weather your tracks.
http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op= ... nt&id=5110

Brian Leach · Post by **Brian Leach** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 2:20 am

For what it is worth, I agree with Kent too

Brian

Rich Stinchcomb · Post by **Rich Stinchcomb** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 3:23 am

I also agree with Kent's statements. Even the rusted 60+ year old tracks at Aberdeen are a dark brown, not the red rust that modelers do. Anyway, rust just doesn't seem that obvious in the pictures of active service tanks.

Rich

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:25 pm

Hi Richard

I do not claim to be an "expert" but in my humble opinion, these tanks were either destroyed, or the war was over, long before rust would set in on the tracks, or anywhere else. I used current, operational dozers as my reference to confirm my belief that a functional combat vehicle, in a two year time frame would simply have mud/dust build up and worn contact areas.

Again, this is only my opinion and we know what they say about those.

Functioning Dozer

70 year old panther links

Good luck with the build Richard
Kind regards
Tim

Richard wale · Post by **Richard wale** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:45 pm

Thanks guys point taken.

I've looked a Tim's Panther and see what everyone means, what colour did you use hear Tim ?

David Da Costa · Post by **David Da Costa** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 11:00 pm

I had a play around with "weathering" on some of my PIII tracks today.

Original:

After painting:

What do you think?

David

Dale jordan · Post by **Dale jordan** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 11:38 pm

This is a good topic . David I'm very impressed with your track links . The shovel you did is one of the best so far If you keep this up, on the rest of your PZIII it will be fantastic as well . The link below is of John's tracks check out the real thing next to the scale tracks , brown is the colour for sure ... Dale

http://www.armortek.co.uk/gallery/main. ... temId=2313

Brian Leach · Post by **Brian Leach** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:09 am

David,

Nice!

Very nice.

Brian

Jim Fowler · Post by **Jim Fowler** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:30 am

Its funny, this argument has been up on Missing Lynx before too. And, as I remember, there were some contention offered up in the form of color photos of the day..... And, some were arguing effect of sand for the desert and end-of-war shortages, bla, bla, bla....

Me, I sort go with the rust as red oxide primer is cheap and when I get a good coat of mud/dust on them, I doubt folks will really care...IMHO. But, I also have to through in that I know they make a dark brown/bronze color that is almost black in an epoxy that spray from a can.......DAMN, I guess I will have to look at that again, the next time I'm at the hardware store......

I guess I am really saying......its your tank,....

Best Wishes,

David Da Costa · Post by **David Da Costa** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 12:42 am

I have now settled on the effect for the tracks and applied to both sets.

Here is the before

and here is after painting/ weathering

David

Tim Bowman · Post by **Tim Bowman** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:25 am

Hi David

Really incredible job on your track links! They look real! As Dale said, you will have one beautiful Panzer III when you get done with it.

Best regards
Tim

Brian Leach · Post by **Brian Leach** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:39 am

David,

Those are nice. Like Tim said, they do look real.

Thanks for sharing,
Brian

David Makaras · Post by **David Makaras** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:02 am

At first glance I thought they were real also. Good job.

Rusted Tracks?

Rusted Tracks?

Tank Tracks.