herrgeezer

I was wondering as I've been looking around the forum about how you guys do the zimmerit covering. What do you like to use for the paste and applicator? Do you make your own?

GD Dave

I used Tamiya Putty, wooden popsicle stick (wifes butter knife...shhhhhhh, don't tell her, she hasn't missed it yet) and a spur gear from an old tamiya car.

gorehound

Hi

I use DAS modeling clay. I spread it on thinly to the tank, a panel at a time, and then use different size screw driver blades to make the pattern. If you are not happy with any part you are working on you just smooth it out with a little water on a wet finger and go over it again. Once dry it can be chipped to give realistic damage and when painted is very hard and durable. The attached image is of one of my Tigers with this method used.

Hope this helps.

cheers
Gorehound

herrgeezer

Thanks Dave and gorehound for the tips! I hope that others will post and show their tools or fruits of their techniques. I have just taken my HL Tiger apart and will begin to start the process of customizing it. When I did take it apart the model had a thin coat of oil that got all over the place once I started handling it. Should I use alcohol to clean it off? Any suggestions???

gorehound

Alcohol will work. The only other bit of advice I would give is that on areas you intend putting zimmerit you should roughen it up a wee bit with sand paper to give the paste something to grip to. Also wash all the plastic bits in warm soapy water and rinse off well and let dry. This way the paint and zimm and anything else you are going to attach will have a good surface to stick to.

Cheers
Gorehound

chickster

wow a gear great tip thanks.i used to glue very thin styreen rod to seams/gaps then wait a few min. take exacto knife and form weld beads

Wozwasnt

I used air drying clay and a junior hacksaw blade.

PoisonPorkChop

hello,
I used a 14 tooth(I think) pinion gear off of the motor shaft to one of my Tamiya cars. I also used testors modeling putty (grey tube),
put it on the surface,not to thick or to thin,put a paperclip into the pinion gear and rolled away,up and down to get the pattern...fast and easy...here are some pics


also here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4986780/tm.htm

herrgeezer

Great advice and photos! Thank you all forthe input.

digger1976

Oddly enough, I have used plaster for dry walling. This works great! Does not dry fast and can be easily minipulated. I just add some black paint to get it to a gray color and spread with a tiny putty knife and score with the Tamiya zimmerit saw tool for 1/16 or 1/35 scale model. If you make a mistake, you can just rub it off with some warm water. Once you've got the effect you like, just paint over it and add a coat of clear coat and it is now permanent.

shelden3

I've started my Zimmerit the other evening. I'm using Squadron white putty (seems to dry quick), and a pinion gear. I like it as the pattern isn't consistant , just enough variation. Slow work but I think it looks good.

Squint

I've heard of some folks using toothpaste or some other large ointment (tube) cap with the ridges on it.

Roll it sideways over some putty, and there ya go! Zimmeritt!