Been messing with ships for a few years and wanted to try something different. I picked up a 1/35th Dragon 54cm Karl Great 'Loki" last weekend. The kits detail is rather simplistic. The details kits that I have are the Royal Model photo- etch, Fruill Models late version tracks and some decals from a German company that's name escapes me right now. I also have one munitionsschlepper and Karl Great crew on the way from Freetime.

My question has to deal with how to simulate the texture of steel plate/forging on this kit as the kit plastic is rather smooth? Any help would be greatly appreciated and also any tips in regard to painting tracks etc. Thanks, Jon

People use several techniques to add cast texture. Three off the top of my head:

1) Paint over the parts with Mr. Surfacer 500

2) slather a thin layer of putty (I use Bondo auto filler) and then go over with various sandpapers

3) dip a Scotchbrite pad in a pool of CA glue and dab it onto the plastic surface, very carefully. Later, sand down to your liking.

Make sure you map off which parts on the Gerat Morser have cast texture and which do not -- lots of mixed surfaces on that gun.

Thank you Roy. One of the ideas I had was to do some what of a knockdown (like drywall) finish but will give your ideas a try. Thanks again. Jon