Hi All -
Almost finished restoring a Tamiya 1/20 P34. The rear tires are soft rubber, and have a nice flat patina after I sanded off the seams. In contrast the front wheels are shiny vinyl and look very toylike. Anyone know how to make the front tires look like rubber, and match the rear tires?

TIA!
David
Irvine CA

Once you've sanded the mold marks/seams off the outsides of the tires, spray them with a coat of Testors Dullcote. Its a lacquer and will actually dry on the vinyl where as there normal enamels won't
Once the Dullcote is dry, you can detail paint any items on the tires that might need done with either acrylic or enamel paints.



These were done using this method and Polly Scale Acrylic white for the whitewalls.

Good point. Do not use enamel paints on hobby vinyl tires. The thinner in enamel will draw out the oils used in the vinylresulting in tires the stay sticky and turn brown. Lacquers and acrylics are okay for painting vinyl tires.
I have heard of guys who rub vinyl tires with talcum powder to dull the shine. A coat of Dullcote flat lacquer might also do the job.



CinC Hooterville Air Corps
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Thanks, Gents!

CinC Hooterville Air Corps

..flying top cover for Americas hog farms.



sumus quod sumus