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AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
Painting plastic tow cables
UpperCanadian
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: June 28, 2020
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 133 posts
Posted: Monday, July 13, 2020 - 01:31 PM UTC
How do the good people of this forum paint tow cables?


I initially painted mine flat black with a steel dry brush, but it looked too shiny.

I just repainted them dark grey and used a pencil to give some metallic sheen. But I'm wondering about rust. Do they often get rusty?
brekinapez
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Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
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Posted: Monday, July 13, 2020 - 01:36 PM UTC
I'm pretty sure they likely got a coat of protective lacquer like many German tools, but areas would definitely quickly wear and chip after a few uses. You could do a dark rust wash followed by a few brighter, 'new' rust spots especially on the towing eyes where they rub on pins and hooks.
RLlockie
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United Kingdom
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Posted: Monday, July 13, 2020 - 09:29 PM UTC
Personally I would avoid rust on wire tow ropes, although some wear on the eyes is reasonable. Rusty wire ropes are dangerous and would be replaced. To prevent rusting, they would typically be oiled although they don’t shine like a planar surface.
Johnnych01
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: June 29, 2019
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Posted: Monday, July 13, 2020 - 11:22 PM UTC
As per what Robert said. Fair wear and tear on the eyelets is ok as they get a fair hammering, however the actual cables are a different thing. We would have ours checked monthly and any sign of damage would be cause for a new one being demanded. One single strand in the cable being snapped/ broken would mean the whole thing written off. If we found any light rust through wear, it was immediately cleaned and that area oiled.
Things might of been different day in WW2 in constant combat and difficulty with the supply chain etc, but I would say the recovery cables would still be an item that was looked after.
bison126
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Correze, France
Joined: June 10, 2004
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Posted: Monday, July 13, 2020 - 11:57 PM UTC
Like other members said no rust on a tow cable. We used to give them a coat of grease as a protection. One consequence was dust tended to stick when driving in a dusty environment.

I usually paint the cables XF-84 dark iron which already has a metal shine in it. Then I use some pencil powder to enhance the "shiny" look when needed.

Olivier
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 02:16 AM UTC
From my Paladin walkaround:



Or a lighter shade of brown if you prefer:

UpperCanadian
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: June 28, 2020
KitMaker: 152 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 06:02 AM UTC
Thanks for the helpful replies.
barnslayer
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New York, United States
Joined: July 29, 2002
KitMaker: 102 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 09:17 AM UTC

Quoted Text

From my Paladin walkaround:



Or a lighter shade of brown if you prefer:




The second photo with the lighter shade of brown looks a lot like the tracks in the same shot and certainly looks like rust. Was this a static display vehicle or still in service?
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 01:00 PM UTC
It was in service right along with the rest of them.

UpperCanadian
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: June 28, 2020
KitMaker: 152 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 01:10 PM UTC
I really appreciate the help.
brekinapez
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Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 01:17 PM UTC
Pretty sure that's just the bright surface rust that forms on exposed metal whenever there is some humidity. Once they crank that vehicle up and take it for a spin the mere act of driving around a few minutes will polish all that off until it has a chance to sit again for several hours.
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 01:22 PM UTC
Unfortunately not a lot of humdidity in Utah. Not there anyway - relative humidity there is 15% as I type this. They are as they appear. Had just finished at the range the day before. I might know - I chiefed one of them.
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