Updates 1/26/2014 - Final Clear Coat and Assembly WIP
Thanks for the vote of confidence guys!
![Thumbup :thumbup:](./images/smilies/icon_thumbup.gif)
I'll be sure to post final pics of the tank in studio lighting
![Wtf? :wtf:](./images/smilies/icon_wtf.gif)
when I'm finished. (If I ever get this thing done.
![Crazy :crazy:](./images/smilies/icon_crazy.gif)
)
Anyway I made some progress in finally completing this build. First off I bought some clear coat to seal the camo colors and weathering of the tank. For this I bought Mr. Hobby Matt Clear.
It sprays very easily and dries quickly. It does affect the acrylic coat so be sure it is completely dry before handling the sprayed parts of the tank or the base paint is liable to come off.
I decided to paint the road wheels and tracks separately from the hull so I can get the clear coat in all the nooks and crannies.
I then sprayed the lower hull of the tank. Unfortunately spraying the tracks, wheels and sprockets took a lot of clear coat so I ran out by the time I finished the lower hull. Should have bought 2 cans.
Assembly of the road wheels, tracks and sprockets was a royal pain!
![Thumbdown :thumbdown:](./images/smilies/icon_thumbdown.gif)
Here I ran into lots of problems. When painting and weathering the tracks, to have even coverage and to prevent the tracks from getting scuffed from fastening/unfastening the track pins, I had decided to paint and weather them fully closed.
Unfortunately attaching the tracks fully closed to the road wheels, sprockets and then the hull became almost impossible since I also added thickness to the tracks with all the paint and weathering crud I had added into them.
![Crazy :crazy:](./images/smilies/icon_crazy.gif)
Because of the already tight tolerances of the tracks in relation to the sprockets/road wheels, adding additional stuff to the tracks made it almost impossible to re-fit them and changed the track slack from before.
With a lot of effort (and swearing
![:icon_mad: :-<](./images/smilies/icon_mad.gif)
) I was able to fit the tracks on one side of the tank. The other side I was unable to even using considerable force to fit the tracks and screw the metal idlers back on. I had to stop as I was already afraid I would break something.
To be able to re-fit them, I had to remove the track and add another link. I had to call it a day before I can change and add another link to the tracks on the other side.
Here you can see the difference, one track fitted as they were and the other with one extra link added.
Here you can see where I added the extra track link. (Hint: Its the only link thats not weathered)
Here are some more pics of the tracks and lower hull.
Finally I added some gloss red paint on the tank's rear reflector. For this I used Tamiya gloss red enamel. I used enamel so that it will not react with the acrylic base paint and I can wipe them off with Tamiya enamel thinner if I make a mistake.
I dipped a fine brush straight into the paint bottle with no thinner added as I wanted the paint to be a bit thick. Applied it to the reflector and let capillary action to the rest.
Thanks for reading!