Randy Ayers Nascar Modeling Forums

[TiminToledo]

This is a basic technique question, but I am curious..

I have been doing the painting/decaling on my tires before assembly (smooth tread, light gloss coat, decals, flat coat). then doing most of the painting/detailing on the wheels separately, then assembling them together once they are complete.

Some are assembling before either/both are complete. The dime as a mask technique is what clued me in on this. Is there a reason to do that specifically, or is it just a personal preference?

[jh63fan]

I have seen aftermarket/resin wheel and tire molded as one. That's where people were using the dime for a mask.
I prepare my wheels and tires the way you mentioned in the beginning

[Taz]

I decal and flat finish before instaling rims on the older hard vinyl tires however the newer soft tires I paint and install the rims before decaling and flat coating, I found a few times pushing the rims into the soft tires damaged the decals and flat finish. I use those plastic caps for sealing auto hoses ( look like a top hat) for a cover on the rims before I spray the flat.

[TiminToledo]

Two good reasons why! I have only been building kits with the old monogram solid rubber tires. Thanks for clearing that up!

[hurricane21]

I use the dime. I sand my tires down and paint and clear the wheels. I then mount the wheels on the tires, do all the detail work (Center hubs, lugs, red/yellow/etc rings) then any decals on the wheels and tires. I coat it all with future then once it's dry I put a dime over the wheels and shoot the tire with dull coat. I do this because I've had instances in the past where installing the wheels on the tires has messed up some of the fine detailing. It saves me from having to be paranoid about where I'm putting pressure when I'm assembling them.

[MarkJ]

Sometimes you have to push hard to get the tire in the wheel and can damage the decal, so I build first and then do the painting and decaling and dullcoat the tire with a brush, so I don't need to do the dime trick.

[hurricane21]

MarkJ:

[MarkJ]

[hurricane21]

MarkJ: What product do you use? Is it a Tamiya?

[MarkJ]

[hurricane21]

Thanks MarkJ. I appreciate it. Gonna give it a try.

[MarkJ]