Anti-slip surface in modern tanks -How you do it ?

[rodrant]

Hi ,

I was watching some You tube videos in builds of the Merkava Mk 3D from MENG , that I'm expecting to do for next year Modern Armor SiG , seems that at least one of the guys is creating it's own anti-slip surface using beach sand , some white glue with dark paint and in it's build worked very well .

Well my question to all is what you do in your builds ? Do you never mind this anti-slip and build the kit or do you use any other technique ? I'm new to the modern armor , only build about three AFV's now and no Anti-slip in WWI and WWII i guess , but it is interesting to see as seems that most of the kits doesn't depict this ...

Also in my Internet searches I discover some AFV brand sort of decal or something to depict the anti-slip surface , but don't know if it works ...


Wait for your opinions on this ...

[Scaleman]

At the moment Im working on a solution for the meng merkava 3D, the anti slip you need is in scale about 4-5mm so gesso is too fine, it goes well on nato wehicles, sand on the other hand is too coarse. there is some great reference photos on prime portal.

[rodrant]

An idea that I will try ...Tamiya Texture paint ...the Light Sand ...maybe ....will try it in some plastic to see if it can recreate the effect ...it is slightly more coarse than gesso , remember this today during my lunch break at work

the bad stuff of this idea is how to apply it ...as it is supposed not to have a thick layer of it ...

[Nev]

GW make a texture paint for basing might be worth a look.


Description:

Citadel Texture paint is designed to provide a swift, effective solution to detailing your bases. They contain a mixture of both coarse and fine grit, which forms a rough, grainy surface that is ideal for drybrushing and ready for further detailing. They give strong, effective coverage over both black and white undercoats.
All of our paints are non-toxic, water-based acrylic that are designed for use on plastic, metal, and resin Citadel miniatures. One pot contains 12ml of texture paint.

[ForbesHutton]

The main options are Gesso and Mr.Hobby.

You could also try thinning acrylic paint and then adding baking soda (I've never tried it for non-slip, but unthinned paint with a lot of baking soda makes a nice mud, the BS can seen gritty at times, thinning the paint could make it let the soda particles remain noticeable).

[schweinhund227]

You are right.... GESSO is too fine for the Rough upper turret surface Grit present on the Late Merkava

Vallejo VA-AV26219 Brown Earth 200ML Textured Medium has a very nice grit look to it !

You should give it a go !!! That is what I will be using on my Merk IID.

I have done preliminary tests and I like the effect !

I will do light passes and add if necessary !

TAPING all the bolts and latches and panel lines will be Tedious but a necessary fact of life !

Don't just smear it on ! it will not look right !

Take care !

[MikeyKb]

I'd be interested to know how that Tamiya Fine Sand product works!

[rodrant]

I'd be interested to know how that Tamiya Fine Sand product works!

So do I Mikey , so do I ...

Some nice and interesting ideas here ... just great all your opinions and ideas

[Scaleman]

Ok so I have found the solution wich I find the best for me and most accurate, this method requires a little work. I tried out several different methods Including,Embossing powder(too small and flat) Dissolving sandpaper too perfect and time consuming cutting out all the pices and the paper gives a strange edge.

I used normal sand that I first sifted with a tea sift to get similar size particals out, then I put it in my mortle and pestle and grinded it down to the size I was looking for, I didnt want them too alike , then you have to wash it carefully poring away the dust let it dry and sprinkle it over primer or mix it in the primer and brush paint it on, preferebly using a coloured primer, this dries flat to the metal of the tank, If you use gesso, or white glue the surface of the tank will be distorted and way too uneven. This is my solution and I havent perfected it in anyway. In the picture it has been mixed into the primer, but I found that when I sprinkeled it lightly I got the best result Im aiming for about 1-2mm between the grains in a single layer, I found that when I mixed it into the primer and not sprinkle it, I had to move the particles around as the clumped up a little, and I think that sprikeling into the wet primer in small brushpainted areas will give more control.




I used the rivets to copare the size, I think this is pretty close, just need a little more particles wich I got on a previous sample while sprinkeling dry sand with my fingers.

[slaterben]

Actually there is a dedicated product for it, the results are quite good if you ask me, there is an instruction video too.

https://www.vms-supplies.com/vms-hull-tex

Cheers,
Ben