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Armor/AFV: Techniques
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How to paint road wheels
drobertson
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Canada
Joined: February 26, 2008
KitMaker: 4 posts
Armorama: 3 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 07:48 AM UTC
I'm currently working on a M46 and would like some advice on achieving a definite demarcation between the rubber and the steel of the road wheel the rubber portion is very thin and easy to mess up and get it (black) on the green wheel. Any help would be appreciated. thanks
Don
mauserman
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Maryland, United States
Joined: September 27, 2004
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 10:10 AM UTC
Some use circle templates like these: template Paint the tire black, let dry, then using the template, paint the wheel green, preferably with an airbrush.

Personally, I paint the wheel green and once dry, I place the wheel on a toothpick or piece of sprue or something, and paint the tire black with a brush while slowly spinning. One day I'll try the template method but for now this works for me.
wonktnodi
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Nevada, United States
Joined: September 07, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 11:21 AM UTC
Another trick you could try is to mount the wheel onto the vehicle. Don’t glue the wheels but allow them to rotate and take a fine sharpie marker and color in the rubber portion of the wheel. After you get a good solid coat with the marker, take the wheels and spray them with some dullcote to remove the purplish hue from the ink.
GeraldOwens
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 12:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I'm currently working on a M46 and would like some advice on achieving a definite demarcation between the rubber and the steel of the road wheel the rubber portion is very thin and easy to mess up and get it (black) on the green wheel. Any help would be appreciated. thanks
Don

Yet another way is to use a very thin mix, a heavy black wash actually, and apply it to the tire right next to the rim. Capillary action will draw the liquid around the edge, and the pigment will concentrate near the raised rim. Once it's dry, apply full strength paint to the rest of the tire, and you'll have a clean demarcation.
RomeoKilo
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: December 03, 2007
KitMaker: 160 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 12:39 PM UTC
I find it easy to paint the wheel with acrylic, and the rubber with enamel. Then to clean up any errors just use a brush dipped in enamel thinner and it will remove the black without effecting the acrylic at all.
whittman181
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Massachusetts, United States
Joined: December 30, 2006
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 12:42 PM UTC
Ray,that's what I do and it works fine.
sgtsauer
#065
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Missouri, United States
Joined: March 30, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 01:15 PM UTC
I paint the black "tire" first. Then, as mentioned above, use a circle template to airbrush the wheel.
SSGToms
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 02:00 PM UTC
Yep, airbrush them all black, then use a circle template to shoot the wheels. Not only gives sharp lines, but you can knock out a whole wheel set in half an hour. It's insanely fast and easy.
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
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Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 03:22 AM UTC
For those of us too lazy to do these excellent suggestions, Eduard has pre-cut wheel masks:

http://www.eduard.cz/
18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 05:52 AM UTC
Any of the above methods work great.


Quoted Text

Another trick you could try is to mount the wheel onto the vehicle. Don’t glue the wheels but allow them to rotate and take a fine sharpie marker and color in the rubber portion of the wheel. After you get a good solid coat with the marker, take the wheels and spray them with some dullcote to remove the purplish hue from the ink.


If you use this method, it's even easier with a Tamiya paint pen, if they still make them...
drobertson
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Canada
Joined: February 26, 2008
KitMaker: 4 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 - 12:50 PM UTC
thanks for all the suggestions i eventually found some templates tweaked them so they fit sprayed the rubber black then used the template to mask the rubber and sprayed the green with resounding success i also did this for the return rollers it was easy no mess or mistakes with definite seperation and professional look. Thanks guys. progess continues.
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