Any help on creating rust & weathering on tracks on a 1/16 T-34 tank?

Gerry · 25-11-2007

Hi, Im new here. I recently completed assembly of my 1/16 Trumpeter T-34/76, 1942 Russian tank. I painted it dark yellow and hand painted a German cross on the side of the turret to resemble a German caputred T-34 in the desert. I opted for this scheme since the only available action figures were german soldiers. Well, after everyrhing, I left the tracks still painted in flat black until I found the right procedure to apply rust and weathering. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

**Bunkerbarge** · 25-11-2007

Hi Gerry and a warm welcome to the forum. If you put Rust into the search box you will be surprised at just how many times this subject has been talked about.

There is certainly no quick easy fix for this one and there are many differrent ways in which to achieve the effect you are after so at the end of the day read about all the options and then experiment.

Aquarama · 26-11-2007

Hi Gerry, steel filings or small nails into vinigar in small jar, when enough rust is formed drain and dry, mix with matt clear varnish and dry brush onto model, hop this helps , regards, Aquarama.

Gerry · 28-11-2007

Many thanks Richard and Vic for answering my querry. Yes, ill search for "rust' in the search box. Vic, I heard from my friends that actual rust is best since its the real thing. Ill try and grow rust in my garage. Thanks again guys. Warm regards to all..

alan2525 · 28-11-2007

I normally spray the tracks matt back, then spray lightly with gunmetal metallic - vallejo metallics are good for this. I then use Mig weathering pigments mixed with a small amount of water and wash rust pigment into the crevices on the tracks. once it's dry - dry brush with steel metallic paint on the raised edges that would be in contact with the ground.

Tracks on actual vehicles tend to look a little flatt as they are normally completely rusted. My method helps to give more of an impression of the links being made from cast steel or iron and really brings out the details.

**Bunkerbarge** · 29-11-2007

I have heard of a number of people using "Real" rust as a weathering medium but I would always advise a bit of caution. I once saw a warship that had been given such a treatment and it did look a bit weak and flat.

The trouble is that rust does not form in one sibngle colour. Rust is a whole spectrum of colour and a heavily rusted piece of machinery has many colours on display. You should look closely at some heavily rusted equipment at some point, ships hulls are excellent examples.

I have taken a number of pictures over the years of rusted hulls and tried to emulate the colours by using paint and eventually narrowed it down to a purple, brown and an orange palette. Constantly mixing these three does give a good range of effects and makes the final item particularly realistic.

If I was using real rust I would enhance this with the use of pigments or oils as well to generate the different colours.

The attached picture is just me having a play with this technique to give you an idea of what i am talking about. I agree it looks too much but I was playing with the technique more than anything!

treadwell · 29-11-2007

hi Gerry
I have also built trumpeters' t-34. mine is the /85 varient. If I may say, a real tank in active service would accumulate very little rust on it's tracks, especially as you describe being in active duty in the desert. the tracks on a t-34 are a steel alloy fairly resistant to rust unless left to sit for a very long period in a damp climate.
I painted my tracks with Model Master Metalizer 'gunmetal' followed by a heavy wash of black artist oils thinned with 'turpenoid'. when that dried I used Mig pigments 'Europe Dust' and 'Russian Earth'. Contact points were very lightly brushed with MM metalizer 'steel'. I hope to see pics of your build when finished . The t-34 and its' varients is my all time favorite tank-- maybe I will try to figure out how to post pics of my build also. best regards ---treadwell

Gerry · 19-12-2007

Hi Alan 2525 and Treadwell,
Thanks so much for the additional tips on rust weathering on the tracks. I've finally finished my tracks taking into consideration your suggestions and the other previous replies and the availability of materials.

Well first off, I painted the tracks semi-gloss red. This was followed by a combination of oils (a mixture of Vandyke's brown and raw umber. After this I painted actual rust (a friend gave me some rust he gathered at home from a rusted roof). After this I painted a steel red Gunze-Sangyo water based acrylic paint. Then as a final touch a pass of burnt siena oil. Here is the semi-finished tracks as I still have to add some dirt to the (outer rubber) wheels. Tread I saw your T-34 in your gallery. Its neat and cool. Mine is dirty. Merry Christmas!! and happy holidays!! Here are the pictures of my newly track-rusted T-34/76 1941 german-captured tank. (the photo with the exposed engine was taken much eralier during assembly)

tigertc · 19-12-2007

Well done, she looks fantastic.

Gerry · 20-12-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigertc

Well done, she looks fantastic.

Hi Tigertc.. Gosh.. thanks for the compliment there.. Actually I did the tracks for about 4 to 5 hours and had to do their entire lengths link after link which was really tiring..