Hi guys,
This weekend I have started to build Tamiya's M151A2. So far the fit is almost flawless and looks like a promising kit. I got to a point where I'm stuck. I have to assemble the wheels but they also need to be painted. My question is when do I have to paint the wheels, after glueing them on the chassis, or before. If the painting occurs after, then how do you mask them. I am a newbie to painting so I'll need all the help and advice you can give me. Thanks in advance.

Ah, my favorite vehicle!
Before anything else, get a pin vice and open up all the vent holes in the rims and the two unused ones on the spare. Also, be sure to clean any mold mark along to circumfrence of the tire.
Before you add them to the vehicle, spray the rubber with Floquil grimy black or other blackish grat paint. Then go to your local friendly office supply store for a circle guide. You'll get many miles out of this dollar or so investment. Find which circle matches the rim and tape off the holes around it. Place it flust to the rim and hit it with the airbrush and the appropriate color. Set aside to dry. Drybrush some sandy color on the tires to bring out hte detail. Add them to the vehicle.

I prefer to paint them once mounted, but not yet fixed to the chassis. Doing so you can better paint the whole surface of the tyre as well as internal part. When I use the airbrush I first paint the tyre color and then I mask the wheel with a "cerchiografo" that's something you buya at a stationer to draw circles without the aid of a compass for a buck or so. If I use the paintbrush I don't even mask.
Ciao

Another option to buying a circle guide (which is a very easy option) - if you have a compass - make your own custom wheel mask. Use the compass and card stock and make one.
I usually paint wheels separately off the vehicle. Usually rubber first then hub. This gives me a chance to go back and touch up the rubber part if necessary with a very dark color. Always easier to cover a lighter color with a dark one.

Nice thing about doing a late Jeep is towards the end, the wheels were painted flat black and not camouflaged. Paint the wheels off the vehicle. I usually put a dab of Elmer's white glue where the axle will meet the wheel as a way of masking the spot from getting paint on it.

Thank you guys for your help. I'll go tomorow to Business Depot and buy one of those things. I intend to do an OOTB contruction review, then post it on Armorama.
Happy modelling.

If you're doing an OOB M151, You don't want to do a Marine version withthe extended exhaust because the right angled guard for that should have holes on both surfaces. Thus, you woiuld have to either drill identical matching holes on the side without them or take two kits and cut and blend that part from each to make one correct part.

John, now I am confused, because Tamiya offers this kind of choice in the instructions that come with the kit. They say that for Marine Corps, the exaust should be cut where it gets out from the underneath of the truck and makes a right angle. That's exactly what I did. Did I do it wrong? I really hope not, because I don't think I can take that out at this stage. Please advise. #:-)

Sebastian;

You will find the circle templates come in inches or mm. Get one of each, you'll never fail to find a match that way.

PH

The name's Al, John Hiatt is the author of the quote.

The exhaust pipe is okay, it's the guard thing in front of it that is not correct in the kit. There are three holes on one side of it. There should be matching holes on the other side as well. Due to the molding process, holes can only be placed on one side, or this would be a two piece item.

Al, do you suggest using the kit suspension springs or coiled wire to get the rear end to sit a little higher?

Ooops! Sorry Al, I didn't mean it. I am truly sorry.
I terms of the three holes, I'll se what I can do, because the exaust is already mounted. May I take a picture or two of the exaust and guard, send them to you and make sure is right? Only if is OK with you. Let me know.

Rob,
At the time I built these, about 7-8 years ago, I had no references on changing the susspension height. From what I've read since, I probably would modify it one way or another.

Sebastian,
No prob with the name. I know the way it's written can confuse some, but I like the quote and wouldn't want to use it without attribution.
Here is link to a picture to illustrate the part I'm talking about.
http://groups.msn.com/armorama/alalbum.msnw?Page=4" TARGET="_blank"> http://groups.msn.com/armorama/alalbum.msnw?Page=4

Al, I'll check it at home and if I still have problems, I'll let you know. Another question is should I prime the model? And if so, what primer should I use? Currently I am hooked to Tamiya acrilics (already bought paints and thinner for them). On the other hand, Tamiya doesn't give to many details on how to paint the kit, especially on some smaller parts, like the big exaust that comes out on the rear left hand side, or other small parts. Is there any refference on the web on this? May I bother you further on with my newbie questions?
Thanks for the tips and your understanding.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/afv/merdc/index.html " TARGET="_blank"> http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/afv/merdc/index.html
I just got this from another member. It gives you the correct color codes for MERDC camo. I don't tend to prime a lot and I don't use Tamiya paints for a lot of reasons I've discussed before. You can see how I painted the exhaust extension in the picture. I use Model Master burnt iron metalizer on the unpainted section of pipe. I don't know of any web references, i did mine before I was very web savvy. Most info came from Verllinden's Warbook on the M151 in Europe.
And by all means, feel free to pick my brain.

Al,
Finally I got home from the office and was looking on the instructions from Tamiya. Now I understand what were you talking about. I'll be careful when getting to that exaust guard. There are also other holes that neede to be drilled and did so successfully (one in the front left fender and other two in the rear right side panel where the stop lights are located). I have used a small circular file from a small file set I have for hobby). Before continuing, I'll have towait for my finger to heal, since I managed to cut it last night with a sharp cutter. Duhhh! I gues it's time to buy a real cutting tool for hobby. I'll put some pictures that I took on the rivet board, with the actual stage of building.

i have Tamiya flat black available, what other colors do I need to weather the tires (to so that it's been through some use without mud...I know that inside of treads are alwys more darker or lighter?