Cheap & non scary Zimmermit.

[Wolftone]

I thought i would update this & put all the information here.
Wall tile grout. Yes thats what i said. Use the type you have to mix yourself, mix untill it has the consistency of butter cream. It Has a slow setting time when applied over a non porous surface, Sticks like the proverbial to a blanket when applied over a primed surface, if you mess up its easily removed with a damp sponge or cloth. When dry can be 'chipped' in a very realistic fashion and takes paint very well. I have used it on tanks in 1/72, 1/48 & 1/35 with excellent results.

[oldfeller]

Hi Wolftone
Great and simple idea of of putting zimmermit on tanks .
Gerwyn

[tanktop]

hi Wolftone graet idea for zimmerit ill give it a try
thanks chris

[Wolftone]

Cheer's chaps. I discovered this many years ago but to be perfectly honest, forgot about it until i saw the post about Whitman's zimmermit. I'm gonna use it myself on my tiger 1 soon as i get my house sorted/and my bike put back together/etc etc etc.

[Dietrich]

Hi Chris,
This sounds like an interesting idea...but I just have a couple of questions to ask please...
How do you get the grout to an even thickness on the patch of armour ?....( Spot the Zimmerit Virgin )
If the plastic tank panel that the grout is applied to gets flexed in some way, say as you take the top off doesn't the dried grout then crack and flake off where it is strained as the plastic bends slightly ?
Thanks, :~
Alb.

[Wolftone]

When i use it i spread it with a stanley blade dipped in water. I also have a selection of small blades from a model knife with square ends for those little niggley bits. Practice a bit on a spare piece of plastic to get the feel for it first. If you look at photos of lots of tanks you will see how roughly, at times it was applied as i am sure it was put on origonally with a trowel. Using the small blades is almost like doing this .
I have had no problem with the flexing issue as a good quality grout has enough flexibility to deal with expansion & contraction due to temperature changes in its normal use. It may feel hard but it is not as hard as it seems. When applied over a primer it sticks very well due to the fact that primer, like matt paints have a rough surface. dosent feel very rough to us but look at it through a magnifying instrument & you will see what i mean.
Unfortunatly all my tanks & modelling tools are in storage at the moment due to the fact i am in the middle of renovating my house or i would show some pics. When i get them out gain i will show how i work this technique as i will be doing a complete rebuild of a tiger.

[Dietrich]

Hi, :~
Thank you for the reply and for explaining how to lay on the tile grout. Can I just ask is there any brand that is particularly good for this kind of job ? and how do you make the grooves / troughs in the zimmerit ?
I look forward to seeing the pictures of your tanks.
Alb