chris chabre Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I have some of these old plastic tires. Before I get rid of them, is there a way to make them look more realistic? I was planning to blend the seam and spray them in primer. any other ideas? thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBLNG Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 Scuff them up a bit with scotch brite to get rid of the sheen? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 Tamiya makes a black rubber color in a spray can....... I've never used it, but I bet it looks right as rubber, coming from Tamiya....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodent Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I like to spray plastic tires flat black, then dry-brush Testors or Tamiya "rubber" over the black. A little nose slime when they are dry for sheen, and they kinda look like rubber. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khils Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 3 minutes ago, Rodent said: "A little nose slime" For accuracy! ....internal or external?? ....nevermind, really.... it's just going on the shelf. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteski Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 Those tires look decent (shape and detail wise). If they really a hard plastic then any paint should stick well to them. There are satin or flat "rubber" color paints available, or just use a very dark gray (as rubber tires aren't truly black). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 1 hour ago, JollySipper said: Tamiya makes a black rubber color in a spray can....... I've never used it, but I bet it looks right as rubber, coming from Tamiya....... It's very nice. I did The tires for my Monogram Midget with Krylon Ultra Flat Black, and sprayed the tread surface with the Tamiya paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 3 hours ago, NOBLNG said: Scuff them up a bit with scotch brite to get rid of the sheen? That's what I do!... it works like a charm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 I agree with deuces. Sidewalls are never really black unless you make them black with Armorall. The surface tread is darker because it gets scuffed on the road. But the sidewall is a grayish color. I found Tamiya acrylic weathered black to be a good paint for tires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodent Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Khils said: For accuracy! ....internal or external?? ....nevermind, really.... it's just going on the shelf. External, LOL. Forehead slime works too, it just depends where you slime most. Seriously, I learned about this trick here. I guess you could use a little of your favorite cooking oil as well. I find that it leaves a vinyl/plastic/rubber/leather sheen on flat paint better than anything else I have used. The 356 seats and side panels are Tamiya flat polished with a finger and nose slime. Large scale kit, had to use some of my spouse's nose slime as well. Note: I don't put this much nose slime on tires. The last set I did just required a small amount and some polishing with my finger. Edited October 8, 2021 by Rodent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khils Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 1 hour ago, Rodent said: External, LOL. Forehead slime works too Lol! I really did figure as much.....just having a little fun with it! " natural body oils" Be well &Stay safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris chabre Posted October 8, 2021 Author Share Posted October 8, 2021 good stuff guys!!! thank you! I always weather my tires, just never used these because theyre plastic. So I decided since I have some to see if I can do something with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteski Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Many military models come with hard resin cast tires, and after painting and weathering they look like real rubber tires. Most aircraft models also have hard plastic tires. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBLNG Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Some folks sand a small flat spot on the bottom so that it looks like they the weight of a vehicle on them also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beans Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 15 hours ago, Rodent said: I like to spray plastic tires flat black, then dry-brush Testors or Tamiya "rubber" over the black. A little nose slime when they are dry for sheen, and they kinda look like rubber. Do the same, except the slime part, just because I never heard that before. Gonna try that tonight. If it works I may just bottle it HA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 On 10/7/2021 at 8:52 PM, Rodent said: External, LOL. Forehead slime works too, it just depends where you slime most. Seriously, I learned about this trick here. I guess you could use a little of your favorite cooking oil as well. I find that it leaves a vinyl/plastic/rubber/leather sheen on flat paint better than anything else I have used. The 356 seats and side panels are Tamiya flat polished with a finger and nose slime. Large scale kit, had to use some of my spouse's nose slime as well. Note: I don't put this much nose slime on tires. The last set I did just required a small amount and some polishing with my finger. I have used the face oil myself. Comes in handy.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcarfan27 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 On 10/7/2021 at 3:11 PM, Rodent said: A little nose slime when they are dry for sheen On 10/7/2021 at 3:17 PM, Khils said: For accuracy! ....internal or external?? ....nevermind, really.... it's just going on the shelf. Or do you use the internal slime as stickum to keep the cars from rolling OFF the shelf? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatW Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 I just use various grades of nail boards. Rough scuff loose the shine, only brand new cars off the car forecourt have shiny tyres, not used cars. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blunc Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 reminds me of an old joke... If they make olive oil from olives, where would you think baby oil comes from? 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 Some kit tires seem to have a more unnatural look than others. A couple of things to consider since not all will apply in every case. I have often let them sit in the purple pond for a bit. I always sand the tire tread since it will often have a seem around the center of the tread and a shinny tread surface doesn't look correct either. When painting to achieve a particular level of sheen on the sidewalls I'll use semi flat or flat clear to get the desired finish. Be careful not to get to much clear on the sidewalls since it can and will crack if you're having a hard time getting the tires on a wheel. Just some ideas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Thibodeau Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 HI! One great way to remove the shine is to brush them gently with an old soft tooth brush soaked with Comet type sink cleaner, thinned to a mily consistency. Wash them with clear water, and just repeat if too much "shine" reamains. This way, it's hard to go overboard and damage the finish as you might with a scuff pad. It works wonder with the typical vynil slicks in funny-car kits, or any vynil tire for that matter. Just my two cents, FWIW... CT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatW Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 Interesting methods although neither of the products you mention are available here in the UK. Also(perhaps that's what you both mean) a plastic/foam dish sponge with semi-harsh pad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Thibodeau Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 6 hours ago, PatW said: Interesting methods although neither of the products you mention are available here in the UK. Also(perhaps that's what you both mean) a plastic/foam dish sponge with semi-harsh pad. Hi Patrick! What I mean (Comet) is a white powder that you sprinkle in your kitchen sink to clean it with a wet sponge afterward. This type of product is also sold in liquid paste (like a car wax) under the brand Vim, her in north-america. . All it does is spare you the trouble of mixing it with water. Some people use corn starch or even toothpaste as a substitute... CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatW Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 (edited) 7 hours ago, Claude Thibodeau said: Hi Patrick! What I mean (Comet) is a white powder that you sprinkle in your kitchen sink to clean it with a wet sponge afterward. This type of product is also sold in liquid paste (like a car wax) under the brand Vim, her in north-america. . All it does is spare you the trouble of mixing it with water. Some people use corn starch or even toothpaste as a substitute... CT Hi Claude again. AH! Vim here changed it's name to Jif (and they added a liquid to make it a quite thick paste), which was rude in some countries they were trying to export it to, so it changed to Cif which is on the shelf under the sink in the kitchen! Some modelers here use toothpaste to shine up scratched car windscreens on their models. Edited October 25, 2021 by PatW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Thibodeau Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 3 hours ago, PatW said: Hi Claude again. AH! Vim here changed it's name to Jif (and they added a liquid to make it a quite thick paste), which was rude in some countries they were trying to export it to, so it changed to Cif which is on the shelf under the sink in the kitchen! Some modelers here use toothpaste to shine up scratched car windscreens on their models. Hi Patrick! Ah, the challenges of international branding. Remember the Chevrolet Nova? In some contries, it meant the car "did not go". Talk about a blunder! To your point about toothpaste for polish: it makes sense, since it IS an abrasive after all. Kind of a "micro-compound". It will also work to dull the shine of some vynil tires. I know that for a fact! Speaking of compounds, my go-to for polishing paint jobs is FARECLA, a formidable british product. It's a small world... CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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