[#ditto] I’ve had the same experience as monster. I start on a wheel and can barely get any ink down before it starts skipping. I’ve gone so far as to buy a package of 6 markers and have them sitting point down in a glass on my workbench. It helps a little. I also bought one of the big chisel type Sharpies. It works much better, but of course, is a little tough on smaller areas.
My experience with a circle template hasn’t been too wonderful. I found that by the time I get all the adjecent holes covered up then have the holes not fit the wheels, I’d just have soon done it a different way.
As far as using the radical approach of actually painting the wheels, my most successful method to date is to use a Microbrush and acrylic paint. I put some paint in one cup a plastic artists pallet dish and some alcohol in another, then dip the brush in the paint and alcohol as needed to get the paint to flow well. The Microbrush is pretty easy to control.
Monster,
the tip on my would dry out now & then too.
i would just scribble a bit on scrap paper until it started to flow again and then continue.
i have no idea what causes it to stop flowing.
perhaps some reaction w/ paint clogging the felt tip?
Oh, by the way, I found that it works better if there is at least a light coat of flat paint on the road wheel tire, just to give a little tooth for the ink to grab hold of.
Yes, when I did the T-34, I had already sprayed the wheels flat “Russian tank green.” I used the thicker, chisel-tip Sharpies–more ink flow, and I could lay down more ink before they clogged. I had to stop at regular intervals and clear out the tip by drawing lines on a sheet of paper (which, of course, was the one I was writing the notes for the article on). I think some of the paint residue does clog the pores of the tip…maybe that and a combination of the ink in the tip drying out the longer you use it.
I was lucky on that project because there was a substantial ridge between the “rubber” part of the T-34 road wheel and the part that is supposed to be green. I didn’t have much trouble with the marker slipping; a few quick touch-ups afterwards fixed the “ooops” spots.
Even with bracing my hands on the table top, I found I could do only two or three wheels before I had to take a break.
Yes, when I did the T-34, I had already sprayed the wheels flat “Russian tank green.” I used the thicker, chisel-tip Sharpies–more ink flow, and I could lay down more ink before they clogged. I had to stop at regular intervals and clear out the tip by drawing lines on a sheet of paper (which, of course, was the one I was writing the notes for the article on). I think some of the paint residue does clog the pores of the tip…maybe that and a combination of the ink in the tip drying out the longer you use it.
I was lucky on that project because there was a substantial ridge between the “rubber” part of the T-34 road wheel and the part that is supposed to be green. I didn’t have much trouble with the marker slipping; a few quick touch-ups afterwards fixed the “ooops” spots.
Even with bracing my hands on the table top, I found I could do only two or three wheels before I had to take a break.