Tamiya KT track painting

[rock]

Hi,

I have been trying to paint Tamiya plastic track but there is no luck. I did primer but it all peeled off. Then, I did try to paint acrylic paint onto the track but they peeled off again. I am not sure what the tracks are made of but they are definitely different material than that of kits.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to paint the track properly?

Thank you,

Rock

[ALPHA]

Hi,

I have been trying to paint Tamiya plastic track but there is no luck. I did primer but it all peeled off. Then, I did try to paint acrylic paint onto the track but they peeled off again. I am not sure what the tracks are made of but they are definitely different material than that of kits.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to paint the track properly?

Thank you,

Rock

Hello rock .... you want the truth? .....paints available to the open market don't work on that kind of plastic...they are fine on "static" models... but for RC ... yeah it will peel...which in some cases is a good thing

Factories like Tamiya.. sometimes paint their tracks ...but it's an epoxy base... which is not readily available to the public... it's very similar to automotive paints..which bond to the surface ..rather than sit on top of it

RTR tanks are usually painted with that stuff too...reason the stock paint usually doesn't rub off on your hands....Tamiya acrylic paint is the closest you can get on the commercial market.. as there are too many regulations on the export of the stuff the factory uses

You can try.. your local auto parts store or auto paint shop... DO NOT USE LACQUER...the solvent will etch your plastic...actually even the enamels will lol.... but enamel can be retarded by a plastic sealer protecting your surface
PROS AND CONS to using automotive paints... make sure you understand how they work....lacquers "bite" going in towards the surface before being reflected out ... usually by a sealer or the metal beneath it enamels.. bond.. as they are epoxy based...so there is a catalyst and "work time" involved in the use of it
NEVER EVER spray in an unventilated area... both will kill you... literally ...ALWAYS wear a respirator ...if you respect yourself that is... I've seen Auto painters that don't ... and they regret it later ...especially with Poly Paints ...the particulates will harden in your lungs and breathing passages

PRO.. they will work... for a while longer than what you've been using....
CON... you will have to buy a flex additive Con to this is ... if you put it in in the wrong proportion... the paint will peel
PRO...you can acquire custom colors
CON.... eventually the solvents will work into the plastic ... and your tank will disintegrate

You could also use stains....yes the kind for wood....thing is a stain is basically a tinted solvent ... which eventually seep (natural process of stains ) into the plastic to which your tank will disintegrate

Which leaves the final solution.... Change out ... and use metal tracks ... that way the parts that do wear away ... looks like natural weathering

ALPHA

[rock]

Hi Alpha,

Thank you so much for your explanation in terms of the painting.

I have just left the track painting for the time being and wont bother any painting job.

however, in the meantime, I would like to get a set of metal track but cannot effort the full price.

If anyone has a second hand set, I would like to get it.

As far as I know, ppl try to 'blue' the metal track using some kinds of chemicals which can be purchased from ebay I believe. does this technique also apply to the plastic or the material to be blued must be metal?

I have just finish my KT at the moment and will try to post something as soon as i can. However, the track is crap which is not realistic.

Cheers,

Rock

[jarndice]

If you do buy a set of metal tracks for your KT and they need de- silvering just head on down to Halfords and buy a bottle of KURUST, A lot less expensive and no where near as hazardous, It does not blue the track, it makes a used track look which I prefer over the blue or almost black which you see on some tracks, that includes the tracks on my Torro Tiger 1. you will find how to do it on the TIPS & TRICKS site along with how to blue your tracks if you want to go that way, as far as I know you cannot blue plastic tracks. shaun