RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hi I've just bought some aber steel tow cables for Tiger 1, Panther G. Just wondering if anyone knew of a quick way to get these rusted. I've hung them outside at the moment but think this could take some time any ideas
Many thanks Lee

No experience with the steel cables from Aber, but bear in mind the real cables would have had preservative/lubricant applied during the manufacturing process, and it would only be the outer strands that may have got any degree of rusty appearance on them. The manufacturer of cables I use at work today are the same ones that were around back then.
If they were used a lot and been dragged through the muck, they will take on oxidisation in relation to the elements in the earth they were exposed to, how long they stayed on the deck stowed, and whether or not they had paint applied to them during the camo process prior to use.
Tow cables were I assume a consumable, and subject to replacement if showing signs of failure until the supply was restricted.
A heavily corroded cable would not be of use to aid in recovering a vital military asset, so would have been replaced, if able, pretty quickly.

Vinegar will accellerate the oxidisation process, but as to the colour they would become,

Many variables to consider. The best way to get the look you want is paint.

Let us know how you go

Hi Lee, Forgive me for asking, but why do you want to have rusty tow ropes?
I ask because long before Health and Safety regulations it was well known how dangerous rusty cables were when used to lift or tow heavy objects and vehicles, which is why you just never saw/see rusty tow ropes.
Imagine if you will "There you are on the Battlefield and your Tank is disabled, a comrade comes to your aid and you and your crew clip your tow cable onto the recovery vehicle and SNAP!!! the cable breaks and in doing so hits and kills a member of your crew"
Because someone failed to carry out basic maintainance!
In the real world any kit that you might need in an emergency always gets the best treatment.
I say all that but if you type in your query into the search box in the top right of the page you might get the answer, I remember some time back a question similar to yours and I think an American product was named as the answer.
Sorry for the waffle but I have seen too many friends in the service hurt or worse through stupidity so I get uptight about it. shaun

I usually try and go for an oiled type finish. I'd imagine that cables like this would get some superficial corrosion but certainly wouldn't be "rusted through"

I just paint mine. First primer, then a dark gun metal, then a light surface rust wash followed by rubbing on some graphite and maybe a light dry brush with a steel colour. Can then follow up with dust effects. Pretty much similar to how you might paint tracks. Gives a used by not abused look.

Thanks for the replies it was just a bit of surface rust or weathering. I have bought some different mig rust pigments and an earthy one but have no experience of using these and feel a bit apprehensive with using them
Lee

They're pretty easy to use, you need a binder for them to stick. Acrylic pigment fixer doesn't take well to movement, so the primer needs to bond properly to the metal for the other layers to fix and for the pigment fixer not to pull it all off if it gets moved. Pigment mixer is also rock hard when set and a bugger to remove.

Pigments work really well with white spirit though, which is what I'd suggest you try it out with. Experiment with it by thinning it right down. For putting on models themselves many will put the layers of pigment on then add the liquid and leave it be otherwise it doesn't look good but it's a bit different for ropes.

Lee sorry for the delay, If you go to www.rustall.com you should get what you are after. shaun

Run abrasive paper over the places you want them to rust then wet should work