Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Non-Pendraken Stuff => Topic started by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 07:50:34 PM

Title: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 07:50:34 PM
Hi all,

I'm having a tentative prod at painting 6mm tanks and wondered what:

a)  The real colour tank tracks were;
b)  Actually looks best.

Thanks in advance  :)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: fsn on 24 March 2015, 08:06:54 PM
Doesn't it depend on the vehicle?

The Stuart had (I think) rubber tracks.
(http://sepulchra.com/blog/wp-content/pod/2011/04/stuart.jpg)
They tended to be a dark grey/black.

The Churchill, metallic ones.
(http://media.moddb.com/images/groups/1/3/2074/churchill_001.jpg)
Start off metallic grey, may end up rusty in places.

(http://churchilltank.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/churchill-tank-moving-front.jpg)
However, the look depends upon where they've been. On hard ground you tend to see silver where the tracks are in contact with the ground.

As to what looks best, I tend to go for a dark grey but am quite heavy on the dry brush, so they tend to merge in with the suspension.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 08:11:34 PM
Thanks Nobby.

I'm painting panzers and was going for a rusty brown, is this right?
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: fsn on 24 March 2015, 08:14:49 PM
Yes, they tend to look rusty.  

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Panzer_V,_Panther_pic-004.JPG)

Trying to remember if there were any that had rubber tracks, but I think that was mostly an Americanism. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: Certainly it would be lighter vehicles in rubber.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 08:23:51 PM
Cheers,  I'm basically doing early Eastern front so if anyone has suggestions it'd be much appreciated  :)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 24 March 2015, 08:25:37 PM
Humbrol  dark earth heavy dry brush, then light earth highlights!
Lots of mud!
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: fsn on 24 March 2015, 08:40:50 PM
Indeed!
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 08:42:11 PM
Quote from: mad lemmey on 24 March 2015, 08:25:37 PM
Humbrol  dark earth heavy dry brush, then light earth highlights!
Lots of mud!

Hmm...No metallics at all then?  :-\
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: barbarian on 24 March 2015, 09:45:44 PM
I tend to use the bare metal of the minis for the part that are...duh...metallic.

I just wash them several time with various brown.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 09:50:25 PM
Quote from: barbarian on 24 March 2015, 09:45:44 PM
I tend to use the bare metal of the minis for the part that are...duh...metallic.



All of it then?
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 24 March 2015, 09:56:36 PM
Quote from: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 08:42:11 PM
Hmm...No metallics at all then?  :-\
Maybe, steel, then black wash first, then obliterate with mud!
tanks don't stay clean!  ;D
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 10:02:40 PM
Quote from: mad lemmey on 24 March 2015, 09:56:36 PM
Maybe, steel, then black wash first, then obliterate with mud!
tanks don't stay clean!  ;D

Coming to that conclusion but it's a little soul destroying painting the mini and then covering it in mud  :(
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: fred. on 24 March 2015, 10:22:17 PM
I've had that feeling with some of my WWI stuff - I've done some mud but kept it fairly constrained.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 10:24:12 PM
I think "lovely tanks " are beating realism at the moment  :-\
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: petercooman on 24 March 2015, 10:29:40 PM
Quote from: mad lemmey on 24 March 2015, 09:56:36 PM
Maybe, steel, then black wash first, then obliterate with mud!
tanks don't stay clean!  ;D


CHECK!!!!!

(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/petercooman123/DSC02557_zps8ada6a74.jpg) (http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/petercooman123/media/DSC02557_zps8ada6a74.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 10:30:55 PM
They look great but I'm not sure I can do it to my paint job :-\
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: GordonY on 24 March 2015, 11:46:29 PM
If in doubt, paint it black.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 24 March 2015, 11:47:33 PM
Quote from: GordonY on 24 March 2015, 11:46:29 PM
If in doubt, paint it black.

That was my first thought,  especially in 6mm.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Ithoriel on 24 March 2015, 11:54:30 PM
I usually paint my tanks "clean" so tracks are gunmetal colour drybrushed over black.

In the rasputitsa pretty much everything from the engine deck down is shades of sticky mud, in winter it's a mix of mud and snow, in high summer varying shades of dust.

Meh! I prefer "pretty" over "real," so bite me! :)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: paulr on 25 March 2015, 04:04:51 AM
The more weathering the better  ;)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 05:01:35 AM
They're jolly nice Ithoriel  :-bd
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Techno on 25 March 2015, 07:40:15 AM
Indeed they are !
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 07:53:14 AM
Quote from: paulr on 25 March 2015, 04:04:51 AM
The more weathering the better  ;)

I'm with Ithoriel on this; I just can't bring myself to do it :'(
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 25 March 2015, 08:03:13 AM
Tracks for 6mm - darkest gunmetal I can get. Larger scales same the a vajero rust wash.

IanS
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 08:04:34 AM
I think the "rusty look" rather works for me :)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: barbarian on 25 March 2015, 08:36:23 AM
Did you consider using pigment ?
It's fun to use.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 08:37:08 AM
Quote from: barbarian on 25 March 2015, 08:36:23 AM
Did you consider using pigment ?
It's fun to use.


Lost me there Barbarian??? :-/
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: barbarian on 25 March 2015, 08:43:58 AM
https://www.google.it/search?q=pigment+weathering&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=899&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=G3USVczXHsX3Uo74g_gJ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4039/4549034346_98fdd0f6a0.jpg)

This kind of stuff.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 08:45:22 AM
Quote from: barbarian on 25 March 2015, 08:43:58 AM
https://www.google.it/search?q=pigment+weathering&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=899&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=G3USVczXHsX3Uo74g_gJ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4039/4549034346_98fdd0f6a0.jpg)

This kind of stuff.

Holy moley, that's rather good.

Thanks ;)  I feel another purchase coming on :D

Will these work at 6mm?
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Westmarcher on 25 March 2015, 09:00:11 AM
Looks like 'real' is making a come back!  8)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 09:03:57 AM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 25 March 2015, 09:00:11 AM
Looks like 'real' is making a come back!  8)

Within reason :P

Does look good though; I'm just wondering how much you'd actually see on a 6mm mini :-\
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Hertsblue on 25 March 2015, 11:39:22 AM
If the tank is in regular use there won't be much rust on the actual treads. Might show up on the edges of the tracks that don't get scrubbed by the road. Therefore, dark gunmetal treads, highlighted with steel. Rust drybrush along the edges. Probably a brown wash over all. That's if you have the patience....
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 11:41:14 AM
Quote from: Hertsblue on 25 March 2015, 11:39:22 AM
If the tank is in regular use there won't be much rust on the actual treads. Might show up on the edges of the tracks that don't get scrubbed by the road. Therefore, dark gunmetal treads, highlighted with steel. Rust drybrush along the edges. Probably a brown wash over all. That's if you have the patience....

I have the patience but I'm not sure you'll see it in 6mm :-\
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Matt J on 25 March 2015, 12:04:03 PM
(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g340/MattofMunslow/10thSSTiger_zpsb75abb5c.png)

Dark brown base, wash with black, highlight then pick the edges out in steel.

I like my tanks to look battered but not too muddy.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 12:10:21 PM
That's fantastic Matt! :-bd

Think we might have a winner ;)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: FierceKitty on 25 March 2015, 12:21:20 PM
Pretty convincing.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: FierceKitty on 25 March 2015, 12:22:04 PM
Tho', mind you. those tanks need a haircut.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Matt J on 25 March 2015, 12:27:09 PM
The technique will work well at 6mm (got an epic IG army with lots of lots of tracks, used same technique).

If you trawl the forum you'll see plenty of good WW2 stuff (Dazza's, BH62 and Fred's stuff leap to mind)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Westmarcher on 25 March 2015, 12:29:41 PM
Quote from: FierceKitty on 25 March 2015, 12:22:04 PM
Tho', mind you. those tanks need a haircut.
:D
Or a Herr Kutt ?


[Very nice. Presume that's in 6mm scale, Matt?]  :-bd
[Also, good well thought out advice, Hertsblue]  :)
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: barbarian on 25 March 2015, 12:32:17 PM
I'd use pigment for the ground color, not rust.

Paint the base, then cover the lower hull, the tracks and the base with the powder.
Use a dry brush.

Then varnish. (spray)

This simulate dust or mud, not rust.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 25 March 2015, 12:44:01 PM
Superb work chaps!
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Matt J on 25 March 2015, 12:50:33 PM
QuoteI'd use pigment for the ground color, not rust.

I'd like to have a play with these, is there a brand/source you'd recommend?

cheers

Matt
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 12:52:37 PM
Quote from: Matt of Munslow on 25 March 2015, 12:50:33 PM
I'd like to have a play with these, is there a brand/source you'd recommend?

cheers

Matt

I've just been looking at Vallejo's; obviously can't comment on how good they are but it's a fairly sizeable range.
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: FierceKitty on 25 March 2015, 01:10:10 PM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 25 March 2015, 12:29:41 PM
:D
Or a Herr Kutt ?



Greisslich!   ;D
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 01:47:33 PM
Quote from: Westmarcher on 25 March 2015, 12:29:41 PM
:D
Or a Herr Kutt ?


Provided by Barbar Ossa
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: barbarian on 25 March 2015, 02:27:25 PM
I have 150 g (worth for a life time) of Sennelier Dry pigment.

I have Brun de Madère (MAdeirabraun, Brown Madder...)  which is a bit too orange for my taste. I'd go with anything in an art shop, or if online, maybe MIG, they seems to have good "military" color. (or AK interactive)

Don't buy a huge quantity.

On Youtube, there are some reviews : "dry pigments", "weathering"...

Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Matt J on 25 March 2015, 02:40:31 PM
Cheers Yann, thanks for the info.

Matt
Title: Re: Tank tracks
Post by: Westmarcher on 25 March 2015, 07:41:12 PM
Quote from: getagrip on 25 March 2015, 01:47:33 PM
Provided by Barbar Ossa
;D =D>