Protecting Tire Decals?

Apply an acrylic satin or matte top coat unless you want shiny tires.  I think I have read in the current issue of FSM that acrylics dry fast even on special rubber materials used for model tires.

If those are vinyl tires, many clearcoats can create problems- they do not dry, but stay tacky forever.  That is why dry transfers are so nice- no topcoat needed.  If no applicable dry transfers are available, the decals do remain a tough problem. If the tires come on a piece of sprue, I recommend testing any clearcoat on a piece of that "sprue."

Thanks for the info, fellas.  I would love to find some dry transfers, but have had no luck yet.  Unfortunately, these tires did not come on a sprue, just in a bag.  Oh well!

Let me know if you find dry transfers.  I much prefer them to decals anyway.

I've used Testor's Dullcote on Monogram stock car tires without any issues. It's a lacquer. The only problems I've had with paint not drying is when I tried to use enamels.

I've done a number of waterslides - the 43rd's are mostly exclusively waterslide tyre decals. But don't take this as gospel, it worked for me - thusfar!

Firstly, you get rid of the mold lines (obviously). Then add a sealing layer. And yes, as said above, NOT enamels. I mostly use acrylics and once even tried floor polish to good effect (the Future-ish stuff - we don't have "real" Future here).

Apply decal as normal. I also use Tameo extra strong solvent on their decals. (But that is SERIOUSLY aggressive, be very careful if you do use it!) Micro Sol also works a treat. Allow drying time.

Then clear to seal it - again acrylic or Future. And I only tend to paint the sidewalls. If they are glossy, it's okay (esp 43rd... in 20th you may want to go to SG). I then leave that and touch the running surface with file to get rid of any potential gloss there.

Like I said, I don't claim this to be the ultimate solution to all tyre problems and YMMV, but it's worked well enough for me up till now.

And Jason - show us some WIP pics of that build!

To get the correct matte finish I use a can of enamel matt clear and carefully put on with a small brush after waiting up to a week for the decal to dry fully.

Thanks for the tips, guys!  I'll try to upload some pics here shortly.  Haven't uploaded anything on here before, so bear with me a little!

This is the Revell 1:24 scale care and not the Tamiya.  Be that as it is, the kit is not designed to have panels removed to show the engine.  I only painted what might be seen through what few openings there are in the body work.  By far the most aggravating aspect of this kit is the carbon fiber decals!

Well, here they are!  I ended up brushing on a coat of Future on the sidewalls both before and after applying the decals.  Now, I can't decide if I should tone the shine down or not.  In the photos I have looked at of the real car, the sidewalls are quite shiny.  Any thoughts?

Looks good to me!

Shine on sidewalls should be fine. Take any shine of the running surface, though. With a file or whatever you used to clear off the mold line on the tyre to begin with.