The ‘Z’ Ring (Stage 2 – Paint)

Dollar store acrylic craft paints are the go to for this step using an almost dry brush technique which is quick and very easy to do.

White lines were painted first. I only painted the inside lines for every corner. Using masking tape to mark 10mm wide lines I dry brushed white paint.

The raised 2mm EVA foam curbs in the high speed corners were replaced by painted curbs – they would turn the cars too much… OK for the low speed tighter corners but not at high speed.

Concrete patches added next – not too many.

Time for the grid area… since the track runs in both directions I painted the start/finish line then four grid boxes in both directions, with stamped box numbers. Skid/burnout marks were next – but not too many.

Some dry brush hazing into the tighter corners was added.

I will wait before applying any airbrush detail especially in the pitlane/paddock – including cracks, concrete pad highlights, dirt, oil and fluid puddles/stains… first I need to sort the positions of the pit buildings, barriers and other details.

Next up are the inner island barriers and walls… my plan is to chain the islands together by connecting them with wall barriers that look like hedges, concrete walls or guardrails – like the straw bales around the outside of the hairpin. Scenery will be added to the islands. Anything added now will be moveable/removable.

Let’s see how far we can go with this… if you aren’t seeing any similarities between The New Ring and virtually all other mini-z tracks you are not being tricked…