I am building this model as a quick project between big ones, so I do not want to go overboard with AM, but I have a question about the rubber type wheels we get from HobbyBoss: in the past (Trumpeter 1/16 T-34) the rubber "ate" the plastic after a couple of years at places.

Can I avoid this somehow (apart from buying resin ones, which I do not want to do due to the costs)? Does priming the plastic help before installing the rubber parts? Also: the middle wheels are supposed to be metal, not rubber tires, so they will need to be coated with something before painting them.... how exactly should I go about it? Enamel or acrylic primers are the best?

Thank you for the advice.

I cannot recall hearing about any HB rubber eating plastic. Some people have had luck with a primer/paint barrier for other manufacturers rubber. I have a resin set, so if you want to experiment and things go wrong I can send you my rubber tires as a replacement. Good luck.

Thank you, that is a very generous offer; I do appreciate it.

I will see how it works out; although we would know only in a couple of years how well primers work protecting plastic

True but about a decade ago I painted some Monogram M29 rubber tracks with enamel paints as I recall and I think it is still sticky today so some experimentation don't take very long to find out its not going to work.

With the EBR, are you going to do anything to the springs, asking for a friend?

I usually paint the rubber parts with acrylic (Tamiya) paint with no problem even years after the model has been finished.

Sealing the plastic rim from the rubber "tire" with paint or primer could help and will not harm in any case.

Olivier

Airplane guys used to use bare metal Foil between the rubber and the contact area of the plastic.

Don't know if it'll help or no, but …. for treads I wash the bejesus out of them with hot water and dish soap (Dawn. It's baby duck approved!) , dry them , them wiped them down with thinner. Gets rid of mold release and such. Then paint. Seems to even work on 40 year old Italeri treads.

They look quite presentable after some sandpaper, so I am planning to keep them. But Voyager I think includes them in their update set. Metal ones would look much better for sure.

This thread has been very useful, thank you all. I will use acrylic for sure, and the metal foil is a great idea, too! (Not to mention washing... I will put some detergent on.)

Thank you all!