I've usually avoided building Shermans due to my mental block on how/when to paint the running gear, so I'll try to explain my problem. In the past, if I paint the rubber portion of the roadwheels prior to assembly, it gets splattered with the paint used later on the lower hull. Conversely, if I assemble all of the running gear to the lower hull and spray on the base color, there's almost no way to get the rubber painted black without making a different kind of mess. Sure could use some tips from those "Shermaholics" out there, Many tanks!!!

Hey Jack,

I'm not a "Shermaholic" but I'll try to answer the question the best I can.
Try hand painting them. Paint the inside rim, dry, then paint road wheel.
Now, I'm sure there are other that have better input in this area, but that works for me. It may take longer, but its worth a shot.

See ya in the funnies...........

If you can still find a Tamiya paint pen they work well for those wheels. Masks work as well - use a circle template.

If you are building a Dragon Sherman,this builder shows how to leave the roadwheels off,paint them seperatly,and add them later.Its pretty good and on page two

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/163080&ord=&page=2

Hi Jack-
I fully assemble my Shermans before painting. I try to keep the glue away from the wheels so they're able to rotate. The purpose behind that is so that I can apply the black paint to the rubber and then rotate the wheel. This has always worked well for me.
HTH-
Geoff Steer