hi
I see macvsog's halftrack and would like to turn mine like his. I am asking permission to copy him, and, if yes, how would I go about doing this(painting weathering, filling in holes, removing things)
Thanks
Customizing halftrack
Catman,
Haha... it's history... no need to ask permission, just do it.
The way that I did the halftrack and the jeep and also the Sherman that I am in process on as we speak is basically as follows:
First, I take everything off that I don't want, which is basically everything. In the case of the halftrack I pulled, pried and cut off the turret and most everything else. If you examine the turret carefully you’ll see there are a few different places you just need to carefully separate and a screw (I think) in the bottom of the post. Then if there are pieces that must be cut off more forcefully, I usually use a dremel very carefully e.g. the roller on the halftrack and maybe a piece or two of the turret, and then sand the areas smooth.
Clean the holes and then tape the back with duct tape (because it holds better). Then I take Auto-Body filler (there are other materials you can use) and fill the holes. You want it to spill over the hole, but not too far. This is messy and a really big pain in the butt, but worth it. Let it dry for a good while. Then I cut off the extra filler with an exacto and sand with multiple grains of paper from largest to smallest being careful not to mar the plastic. Sometimes you need a second application of filler after you sand the first time.
Then I prime it a bit and paint with O.D.
After I paint I use black and multiple dark browns diluted to different degrees with lots of water and paint many thin layers of "dirt" until I'm satisfied. It's important to build these slowly so you don't use too much. Also important to use the right combination of black layers and brown areas or brown layers depending on the look you want.
If you want some dirt splashes I use a brown that looks good and dry brush some splashes in the right places, and then some lighter browns over those splashes to give it some dimension.
There are a bunch of other things that I probably did that I can’t think of off the top of my head, it’s been a year or two now since the halftrack.
Those are the basics of what I did, but if you have specific question you want to know about ask and it will jog my memory and I will be more than happy to answer them in greater detail.
Hope that this helped a little, just ask what you want to know more about,
Haha... it's history... no need to ask permission, just do it.
The way that I did the halftrack and the jeep and also the Sherman that I am in process on as we speak is basically as follows:
First, I take everything off that I don't want, which is basically everything. In the case of the halftrack I pulled, pried and cut off the turret and most everything else. If you examine the turret carefully you’ll see there are a few different places you just need to carefully separate and a screw (I think) in the bottom of the post. Then if there are pieces that must be cut off more forcefully, I usually use a dremel very carefully e.g. the roller on the halftrack and maybe a piece or two of the turret, and then sand the areas smooth.
Clean the holes and then tape the back with duct tape (because it holds better). Then I take Auto-Body filler (there are other materials you can use) and fill the holes. You want it to spill over the hole, but not too far. This is messy and a really big pain in the butt, but worth it. Let it dry for a good while. Then I cut off the extra filler with an exacto and sand with multiple grains of paper from largest to smallest being careful not to mar the plastic. Sometimes you need a second application of filler after you sand the first time.
Then I prime it a bit and paint with O.D.
After I paint I use black and multiple dark browns diluted to different degrees with lots of water and paint many thin layers of "dirt" until I'm satisfied. It's important to build these slowly so you don't use too much. Also important to use the right combination of black layers and brown areas or brown layers depending on the look you want.
If you want some dirt splashes I use a brown that looks good and dry brush some splashes in the right places, and then some lighter browns over those splashes to give it some dimension.
There are a bunch of other things that I probably did that I can’t think of off the top of my head, it’s been a year or two now since the halftrack.
Those are the basics of what I did, but if you have specific question you want to know about ask and it will jog my memory and I will be more than happy to answer them in greater detail.
Hope that this helped a little, just ask what you want to know more about,
-mike-
http://community.webshots.com/user/macvsog101st
http://community.webshots.com/user/macvsog101st
Catman,
Sorry, I haven't seen your other customs. I have been on and off for a while and tend to miss big parts of the board.
Well, I would say, take it step by step. Start by taking everything off that you don't want like packs etc. This is done most effectively by disassembling the piece completely. The screws under the halftrack would be your first step there.
Then pop things off, and just inspect the turret carefully and I trust that you can figure our the best way to get it off without ruining anything. If you want all tha packs and just want to lose the turret you still have to take off the packs if you want to paint it. You can then reattach them when you are done painting.
If you have a sepcific question post it here or PM me, I'll answer anything and help you out as best I can. I'll give you detailed instructions on whatever you ask or are having problems with.
So yeah... start by pulling the entire piece apart, and I mean everything... pull the tracks off, everything (except things that don't come off, like the wheels etc. Just pull things off that you either don't need or can be put back on. If you cut through the axel, well... that would be a problem.
I'll help you with whatever you need,
Sorry, I haven't seen your other customs. I have been on and off for a while and tend to miss big parts of the board.
Well, I would say, take it step by step. Start by taking everything off that you don't want like packs etc. This is done most effectively by disassembling the piece completely. The screws under the halftrack would be your first step there.
Then pop things off, and just inspect the turret carefully and I trust that you can figure our the best way to get it off without ruining anything. If you want all tha packs and just want to lose the turret you still have to take off the packs if you want to paint it. You can then reattach them when you are done painting.
If you have a sepcific question post it here or PM me, I'll answer anything and help you out as best I can. I'll give you detailed instructions on whatever you ask or are having problems with.
So yeah... start by pulling the entire piece apart, and I mean everything... pull the tracks off, everything (except things that don't come off, like the wheels etc. Just pull things off that you either don't need or can be put back on. If you cut through the axel, well... that would be a problem.
I'll help you with whatever you need,
-mike-
http://community.webshots.com/user/macvsog101st
http://community.webshots.com/user/macvsog101st