Dear all, do you normally attach track/wheel to the AFV before printing or versa visa? Which way is better and what is their pro and con?? As I am rather confused which way to go at the moment, therefore would like to hear your advises, thank you!

I paint the wheels and tracks separately if possible as it is easier for me to do it before they are all in place.

I'm with Russ A.

I'm assuming here that we are really talking about link tracks... I assemble all gear and tracks on to the hull using blue tacky, let all link-sets and other stuff fully dry and harden to get whatever sag I want, and then I remove all wheels and tracks and paint them separately, and later re-install them and complete weathering.

By removing assembled gear and track-runs, I can easily weather the hull sides which will be behind the gear but still visible, and I can also better paint wheels and such when they are separate pieces in my hand, as versus mounted on the hull.

Bob

Lately I have been installing my tracks and road wheel before painting.I did it to my Panzer III and Sherman.but if I build a tiger or a panther with the rubber wheels I will paint them separately the install tracks after painting.

If your kit has magic tracks or link and length build them up with the road wheels attached and take off before painting once glue has set.

Karl

The con with painting first can be that gluing painted parts is not as easy as gluing unpainted, and things might get a little lumpy as you try to avoid messing up your paintwork. With Tigers / Panthers etc you could construct wheels and tracks just leaving off the outer layer to the end, but even then sometimes you might have to paint it all later. As an example, and I only show this as I remember it because it was me, look toward the bottom of this page: Panther Zvezda

I prefer to paint my wheels and tracks off the tank.

Chi Him, I suggest you try both -- on and off the vehicle. The "better way" is what works for you. Cheers, Tat