Tamiya 1/35 Elefant - Complete

[moparmadness]

So I hopped back on the saddle and delved into a kit I assumed it would be a shake and bake endeavor. For the most part, the kit goes together beautifully. The only problem is this particular vehicle, and all of those represented in the kit, have zimmerit. So, I bought some two-part epoxy putty from a local hobby store and went to town. I probably could have chosen an easier vehicle for my first go at zimmerit. Tamiya makes it easy and provides a very faint line around the upper superstructure which represents the limits of the zimmerit. So, kudos to them for that. Up next, priming and painting.

[keavdog]

Wow - that looks awesome. Tedious process? Did you use some tool?

[adt70hk]

Now Chad......

I have seen many zimmerit approaches over the years....some better than others including my own feeble attempts!!

Yours though, even if I do say so myself, is really rather good indeed.......truly splendiferous in fact!!!! 


 Can't wait to see it under paint!!

Well done.

Andrew

[moparmadness]

Oct 20, 2023 15:23:53 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Wow - that looks awesome. Tedious process? Did you use some tool?

It was definitely tedious, but the more I did, the quicker I got. The tool I used was the Trumpeter zimmerit tool. But, it didn’t leave a bad taste in my mouth or anything like that. I’ll gladly do this again at some point.

[moparmadness]

Oct 20, 2023 15:39:55 GMT -5 adt70hk said:

Now Chad......

I have seen many zimmerit approaches over the years....some better than others including my own feeble attempts!!

Yours though, even if I do say so myself, is really rather good indeed.......truly splendiferous in fact!!!! 


 Can't wait to see it under paint!!

Well done.

Andrew

Thank you Andrew! The very first patch I applied was pretty thick. Then I rolled out the putty into paper thin sheets to give it a more realistic depth and texture. As tedious as it was, the more I did, the faster it got.

[floki]

That looks excellent!

[406 Silverado]

OMG!!! This looks frickin COOL!!! WOW Chad!!

[handiabled]

The work you did applying the zimmerit is outstanding! That was your first application of it ever??!!

[Joe Rix]

Wow Chad! Your first attempt at simmering is immensely impressive. It really does look quite realistic and accurate. Be proud of your efforts.

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 7:48:30 GMT -5 handiabled said:

The work you did applying the zimmerit is outstanding! That was your first application of it ever??!!

I watched a couple YouTube videos on the subject so I had a good idea how to proceed. Honestly, the more you do, the easier it gets.

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 8:39:01 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

Wow Chad! Your first attempt at simmering is immensely impressive. It really does look quite realistic and accurate. Be proud of your efforts.

Thank you friend!

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 7:23:33 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

OMG!!! This looks frickin COOL!!! WOW Chad!!

Thank you for your kind words! It wasn’t near as hard as I thought it would be. Just tedious is all.

[armornutii]

   Thanks Chad for your patience and words of encouragement towards doing zimm. I have the Elefant in my stash, and I don't think you can find an easier vehicle to start on. Nice big flat slabs with little texture or gribblies in the way. Yea the bolts present a bit of a bugaboo however it appears you tackled them well.

[ogrejohn]

Dang Chad, that looks freaking great!

[kyledehart5]

That’s incredible!

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 11:01:27 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   Thanks Chad for your patience and words of encouragement towards doing zimm. I have the Elefant in my stash, and I don't think you can find an easier vehicle to start on. Nice big flat slabs with little texture or gribblies in the way. Yea the bolts present a bit of a bugaboo however it appears you tackled them well.

Thanks buddy. Next application will be paper thin. That’s one takeaway from this endeavor.

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 11:09:22 GMT -5 ogrejohn said:

Dang Chad, that looks freaking great!

Thank you brother.

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 13:49:19 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

That’s incredible!

Thanks Kyle!

[stikpusher]

That has to be some of the best putty and tool applied zimmerit that I've ever seen. Outstanding work Chad!

[dupes]

That looks outstanding. Just as good as any aftermarket. I might have missed it - what is the green stuff?

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 14:58:43 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

That has to be some of the best putty and tool applied zimmerit that I've ever seen. Outstanding work Chad!

Thank you my friend!

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 16:00:08 GMT -5 dupes said:

That looks outstanding. Just as good as any aftermarket. I might have missed it - what is the green stuff?

Here you go. It’s Kneadatite epoxy putty tape. Easy to use, but quite sticky. Have a bowl of water handy to keep your fingers wet.

a.co/d/7MIDpEV

[dupes]

That link didn't work, but I found it with a quick Google search. I've seen that stuff before in the game store with the Warhammer stuff. How long does it remain pliable once you mix it together?

[moparmadness]

Oct 21, 2023 20:27:40 GMT -5 dupes said:

That link didn't work, but I found it with a quick Google search. I've seen that stuff before in the game store with the Warhammer stuff. How long does it remain pliable once you mix it together?

It stays pliable for roughly 2 hours before it starts to lightly stiffen. It completely hardens in about 8 hours.

[dupes]

That seems pretty perfect for doing zim, then. Plenty of time to work it!

[deafpanzer]

WHOA! Definitely one of best home made ZImmerit I have seen. I can’t wait see the end!

[moparmadness]

Oct 22, 2023 13:44:18 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

WHOA! Definitely one of best home made ZImmerit I have seen. I can’t wait see the end!

Thank you!

[moparmadness]

Aber barrel added and tracks finished. Time for paint!

[handiabled]

Looks great! Some color on this it's going to look amazing!

[chromdome35]

You are crushing this one, great work on the handmade zim!