Does anyone know how to make tire treads in diorama dirt?

[Modelcrafters.GP]

Hi guys,

Does anyone have good tips on how to make tire tread imprint runs in diorama dirt (whether using Woodland scenic railroad ballast, celluclay, or real dirt). I got the hang of it with armor tank treads by pressing fairly hard into the dirt while the dio materials were still wet. But armor treads won't do in a WRC setting unless we're racing John Deere's, Hitachis or Catepillar's through the next WRC stage.

I can't quite seem to do it well even if I have a fairly easy rolling set of wheels to make these tracks for my upcoming WRC dioramas.

Replies appreciated in advance. Thanks!

Happy modeling,
Vince

[voyageur]

I'd suppose you could use a die-cast and just "drive" over the surface

Never tried it, though.

[LA-CUSTOMS]

yeah jus get a tyre off a diecast car and roll it over where you want the marks to be, let us know how you get on !

[Modelcrafters.GP]

Hi guys,

Hehehe...I'm a stubborn dog... I'm averse to diecast unless my life depended on it. But I think you guys are right... Its a relative low cost investment, I could write it off as a modeling tool expense.

I'm going to try it and let you guys know the results.

Happy modeling, Vince

[Macdaddy4738]

Originally Posted by Modelcrafters.GP

Hi guys,

Hehehe...I'm a stubborn dog... I'm averse to diecast unless my life depended on it. But I think you guys are right... Its a relative low cost investment, I could write it off as a modeling tool expense.

I'm going to try it and let you guys know the results.

Happy modeling, Vince

Maybe try putting the tire from the kit on a wooden dowl and rolling it in the base.

[D_LaMz]

you can try putting the "dirt" on top of glue, then wait for it to semi-dry then drive the tires over the glue.

[Asmenoth]

Guys, it's a bit harder than that....if the car is parked in the dirt, then the obvious rolling the tires through the glue and dirt thing will work. If the car is moving, then you won't have pretty and neat tire tracks, you will have ruts behind the wheels (not always deep) with fresh dirt flung about. Also if the car is parked in the dirt, it might not have rolled to a halt, but skidded...ruts again. I would look at pics for reference.

[D_LaMz]

Originally Posted by Asmenoth

Guys, it's a bit harder than that....if the car is parked in the dirt, then the obvious rolling the tires through the glue and dirt thing will work. If the car is moving, then you won't have pretty and neat tire tracks, you will have ruts behind the wheels (not always deep) with fresh dirt flung about. Also if the car is parked in the dirt, it might not have rolled to a halt, but skidded...ruts again. I would look at pics for reference.

well then you could get some putty and toothpicks and make little "mountains" and paint, then start throwing dirt everywhere.

[cyberkid]

I was thinking about the ruts part...I suppose the most realistic way would be to put a wheel on a bamboo rod ( or whatever you have handy) and use that as a 'drill bit'...I say drill because I'm not sure how slow dremels can run... mine runs at 1000 rpm minimum... but a drill can run at speeds low to 1rpm...

remember to post some pics on the finished product!

[Modelcrafters.GP]

The effect of using a rod/stick/pole/diecast car worked out ok to make the treads, except the celluclay or plaster consistency had to be moist enough to make the treads remain. It didn't make much imprint on a dio foam bed with gluey water and Woodland Scenics fine or coarse ballast. I'll post pics when I can.

Happy modeling and thanks for the tips from everyone!
Vince

P.S. I gotta try the dremel drill bit idea to get the rut effect. Cyberkid, It sounds very intriguing.