Ok we've all seen and read articles on how to weather our vehicle's (softskin). But when it comes down to the tires i have a problem. I try to make them a real as i can and the more i go at the worse it gets. I would like to get mine to look good as MrRoo's and Vodniks tires (hint) Oh yeah the desert look, thanks

https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/13029/2325red-t_07.jpg

hmmmm I had to think about how I do mine as this is one area that in the early days I did have to work on getting right.

I paint the whole tyre and wheel the color of the vehicle whether it is OD, Aussie green or the desert sand/stone colors.

Then I have a slightly thick darkgrey almost black wash that I put on the WHOLE tyre including the tread. I let this dry and if need be I add another coat to darken it. Now the base color should show through in places so the color will not be even as most tyres will have scuff marks etc in real life.

I then put another wash (a thin one) of whatever color dirt I want around the rim and also in the treads themselves. Once this is dry I paint the surface that touches the road either black or a darker grey then the side walls.

Now I change my types of paint from enamel to acrylic and back again during this process as well and more by luck then good skills mine turn out OK but I must admit that picture of one on Vodniks tyres is real nice work!

hope this helps
Cliff

I actually used a lot of pastels on mine after a very light wash. The pastels built up in the treads and made them look sort of realistic.