I noticed while reading the things you hate about building models and seen alot of you hate road wheels. Might I suggest this.... paint the whole assy black and then use a circle template ( from an art store) to paint the inner wheel. I use that method and it is very easy.
Hope this makes some of you not hate that task as much


Herky

Actually Eduard does make some masks but they are quite expensive. Thanks for the alternative!

Herchealer, I use the same method when the circle template shapes match precisely the roadwheel. When this is not the cae I use inexpensive masking tape from the harware store in which I cut circles with a cutting compass...
Ciao

I use the template method saves alot of time I can do a set of wheels in 10 mins per side

I spray my wheels black with a spray tin. When dry, I spray the middle and as close to the rim as I can get with the airbrush. When washing and dry brushing, I tidy up anything very noticable and after weathering, its not noticed anyway. I have never used templates and don´t really see the need for them. Not the perfect answer for everybody, but its one reason i never complain about road wheels. Sherman boogies and wheels on the other hand need a bit more touching up!

Thanks for the tip Herchealer. I admit I hate road wheels with a passion. The way I build, by building most everything then painting, trying to use a template just doesn't work. On my next kit I'm going to have to try and paint the road wheels using your method, then assembling the rest of the suspension.

you are lucky if you can find templates that fit! ive only ever found one or two.

i personnally i dont like the etched masks, they are pretty expensive for what you get, and the same results can be obtained by cutting your own paper or tape ones as described by scoccia.

one thing i do like to use is blue-tac, i dont know if its called the same thing abroad, but its a blue stickty putty like stuff you use for sticking posters etc to walls.

it can be formed into any shape you want and wont damage the paintwork underneath

cheers

joe

Try silly putty! It's cheap, reusable, and does not mess up paint. I also use it for hard edge masks when spraying camo also. A nice tip I picked up on this board, I might add.