I still think the ATAK stuff rules !!!    they give you the parts like the Rear Glacis or other Hard to cover items...   already done up !!!   the thin sheets of Zim are easy to tackle and the results speaks for themselves...   

I don't doubt your abilities to duplicate it the old fashion way !    I hate to hear you were not satisfied with the results....

Zim is peculiar to the Kind of tanks !  Year and Month of production !   Just make sure you apply the right Pattern to the right Vehicle !    Read a whole lot about it ! 

and Good luck !    there is a lot of good suggestions here....   but since I touched Atak Zim !  I won't go back !   messy putty and lots of heartaches kind of Killed it for me !

You are not me !   so ..  keep us updated on your progresses !