Hello all,

I think of getting a Sherman started. What is your method to paint the VVSS bogies?

The problem is, when I assemble the whole unit, it is difficult to get paint in every corner with the airbrush. When painting the roadwheels separately and then assemble the rest of the unit, you overspray the rubbersection again.
When you paint before assembling, you have to remove some paint when you assemble them and are nearly at the same point, when you assemble them completely before painting.

I like my models being rather clean, so ptting mud everywhere is not an alternative.

Thanks,

Thomas

I completely assemble my VVSS units but allow the wheels to spin. After gluing to the hull and airbushing OD, I thin down some Vallejo black and paint the rubber with a flat brush.

I cut wheel masks using a circle cutter and masking tape. Spray your wheels black, dark gray, etc. Apply mask. Paint camo color. Remove mask. Assemble. Have had great results, so far.

I pre-undercoat all the componements on the sprue then paint the wheels, allow them to sit freely in the suspension unit and then paint therest of the unit once complete.

Paul

I build and paint my VVSS bogies exactly like Matt. I don't need to scrap any paint off prior to gluing them to the hull. Liquid glue eats right through the acrylic paints I use.

I assemble everything then attach it to the model, but leave off the socket and idlers as well as the tracks. I spend a fair amount of time brushing a primer coat of black into every book and cranny so when I spray my OD, the black serves as a shadow and I don't have to get the olive drab in every corner. I paint all my rubber time by hand with a fine brush anyway so this method is fine for me. Neatness isn't super crucial as a quick overspray with a dust color ties everything together. Hope tat helps!

Looks like there's lots of ways to skin this cat! My method is to build the bogies and then paint them off the model. I need to hit 'em twice with primer and top coat because I move all the parts between coats to make sure I get paint into the crannies. With Italeri-style bogies I saw through the axles leaving only a stump on each side so the wheels can be painted off-bogie and snapped in place later, but with Tasca-style ones where the wheel has to get trapped during assembly I just accept that I'll have to rotate and respray. I paint the tyres with dark rubber or similar afterwards.

Tom

Thanks for all your replies!

Now I have to decide which technique to use.

Thomas

Thomas, I couldn't agree with John more, this is they way I do it. I even glue the tracks on before painting!

One pointer I'll give is to spray your preshade dark grey (the color of the road wheel rubber). After airbrushing your color coat any touch up will be simple. The airbrush is a precision tool, you will be surprised how you can surgically apply paint into small areas. A deliberate, even dark pre-shade is a must.

Ryan