Natural Rubber Wheels or Paint Them?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

OK Just test fitted the wheel to my ASLAV for the 8x8 GB. First time with rubber wheels. I have only seen one build done with rubber wheels and that person painted them. So before I paint or not paint them I thought I’d ask people. Does painting them destroy the rubber look or does it somehow remain after painting. If painting destroys the rubber look, why paint them?

Andrew

2

I didn’t paint mine. Here’s my approach:

  1. Install the wheels on the rims.
  2. Drybrush them to show wear.
  3. Weather with appropiate dust/mud colors.
  4. Apply a dull coat overspray.

The tires look pretty good to me.

-Jesse

3

To show ware on tires, I usaully rub the tread section using a clean brite sponge…(the rough side). Use the sponge a bit on the side for edgeware and to take off the shine.

Then I weather. Looks like many a tire I saw in the field!!!..I do not paint the rubber tires! It can crack and peel!

Rounds Complete!!

4

Thanks Guys. Thought it a bit of a waste to prime them the vehicles base colour then paint them just to have to paint them tire colour again as I saw (where ever that was).

Andrew

5

Personally, for rubber or vinyl tires, I just apply pastels, dirt, or mud to them, depending on the terrain I model for the kit… I never leave them “un-painted” though… Tires are NOT shiny black, they’re dark grey-brown, even if they’ve been Armor-Alled… I use at least dark grey pastel after sanding them, and take out some small chunks here & there if they’re “solid rubber” like AFV roadwheels, or sand & pastel/dirt/mud/snow “inflatables”…

One exception the “Shiny black” will be if I’m doing a vehicle on a hardball on a rainy day … Best reference is to go look at the tires on your car…