It's a paste applied then hand troweled , then cured by a blowtorch . So if it dried and not heated by the torch could that affect how hard it cures , then if it was field applied would probably look real crappy ? Are you doing the zimmerit or are you using the resin ones ?

Quoted Text

---

It's a paste applied then hand troweled , then cured by a blowtorch . So if it dried and not heated by the torch could that affect how hard it cures , then if it was field applied would probably look real crappy ? Are you doing the zimmerit or are you using the resin ones ?

---

If the alcohol torch was not used to burn off the benzine thinner, a layer of Zimmerit took eight days to air dry. Thus, the torch was quite necessary, or the vehicle couldn't even be painted. I've only seen a half a dozen or so photos of vehicles that apparently had field-applied Zimmerit. There was no great demand for it, because magnetic mines were rarely used by anybody but the Germans themselves.
Zimmerit was made from zinc sulphide, barium sulphate, polyvinyl acetate glue, sawdust, and yellow ochre pigment. It was certainly harder than plaster. If it helps, US troops said it reminded them of linoleum.

Looking at my Ferdinands, Zimm was damaged by collisions with things, shell fragments, bullet impacts, wear and tear from equipment rubbing, (like the plugs for pistol ports dangling by chains). Crews boots and dragging supplies over it would wear it down also.

There are pictures that show primer uncovered, primer painted over where Zimm is missing and what looks like replaced Zimm (that does not match the pattern next to it)