Painting Tires and Hubs

Hi you could try using liquid latex its what i use. you paint the hub first let it dry then paint on the latex and let that dry it usually dries in about an hour to a clear coat then airbrush over the whole thing and when dry just peel it off and hey presto you have a wheel with a perfect tyre edge. i get my latex from a fancy dress shop for around £1 for a bottle with screw lid its what they sell for making scars and things.

i hope this helps

zlee11 wrote:

Cutting a mask is not an option. The hub is 1/8" in diameter. I don't know what tool would be small enough to cut a 1/8 circle. Regarding liquid mask... I bought some Microscale Micro-mask. I says on the instructions not to use with water based paint. I only use acrylic paint. Does anyone have experience with this product? Cansomeone recommend a different liquid mask?

White school glue?  When it dries, peel it off.  Haven't tried it, this is just an idea.

I use one of these:

Again,

Thank you all for your kind replies and advice.

My swivel knife finally arrived yesterday, from Micromark. I also purchased an aluminum circle template. I think with those 2 items, I should be able to cut masks that are small and clean. 

I was painting the hub and then the tire. I like Georghai's idea of painting the tire and then the hub. I will give it a try and tell you guys how it works out.

I use a drafting circle template which can be purchased at any drafting or office supply store. I first paint the whole tire black.  Next, I match the closest hole size to the rim size and then tape the tire to the template. Make sure the rim is centered in the template.  I tape off the surrounding holes on the template for cleanup and to make sure no paint dust can find it's way to the tire.  Then I make a couple of LIGHT passes with the airbrush until I am satisfied.  As long as the airbrush passes are light, I have been very successful in creating nice rims - no matter what the size.

 On another note...If you are using a mask, I would suggest that once the mask is in place, lightly brush some Future around the edge of the mask and let dry.  This will prevent bleed under.

zlee11 wrote:

Cutting a mask is not an option. The hub is 1/8" in diameter. I don't know what tool would be small enough to cut a 1/8 circle. Regarding liquid mask... I bought some Microscale Micro-mask. I says on the instructions not to use with water based paint. I only use acrylic paint. Does anyone have experience with this product? Cansomeone recommend a different liquid mask?

I also like the "wash" technique.  I use it on tank road wheels and smaller aircraft wheels.  Another technique.  Use a Sharpie Ultra Fine Point pen to go around the wheel.  Then "paint" in the rest of the tire sidewall using a Sharpie Fine Point.  The sharpie ink leaves a gloss finish so go back and dry brush gunship grey over the black and then flat coat. 

Mike

Try thinning out the black paint almost to the consistency of a wash.  Dip your fine brush in the solution and touch it to the tire near the rim.  Capillary action should draw it evenly around the hub.  If you do this several times, allowing it to dry between each application, you should be able to build up a big enough black line to stay away from the hub when you paint the tires.

I bought some Microscale Micro-mask. I says on the instructions not to use with water based paint.

From memory (long time since I've used Micro-mask) it's a water based product, so water based mask + water based paint usually = mess. Humbrol Maskol contains ammonia so that is problematic for acrylic paints as well.

You might be able to find a draftsman's circle template (from a stationery supplier) with the appropriately sized holes or you could try rolling a tiny ball of blu-tack or silly-putty, squash it flat and use that as a mask.  

Cutting a mask is not an option. The hub is 1/8" in diameter. I don't know what tool would be small enough to cut a 1/8 circle.

Regarding liquid mask... I bought some Microscale Micro-mask. I says on the instructions not to use with water based paint. I only use acrylic paint. Does anyone have experience with this product? Cansomeone recommend a different liquid mask?

1) cut the mask for hubs with compass/divider, apply and airbrush.

2) Or, put a drop of liquid mask on a hub. Airbrush.