Any trick for tiles?

The relief detail isn’t molded into the kit surface?

I personally have not tried this, but I have heard that if you stretch a pair of pantyhose over the area to be painted then paint over the pantyhose, you will get a tile like look

 

Please test on something first ....  I may be forgetting something...

There are tile decals available in 1/72, 1/100 and 1/144 scale that look very convincing. 

They can usually be found on eBay for a reasonable amount.  Here's a link to a set in 1/144 scale:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1-144-Warbird-Decals-14404-Space-Shuttle-tile-set/372816644987?epid=17028645416&hash=item56cd9a8b7b:g:xzUAAOSwzb5dsy~3

I found a build by Phil Smith on super detailing the 1/72 orbiter, he used styrene sheets, scored them, then cut them to replicate tiles.  I did this and it came out fantastic.  He also used medical tape to simulate the thermal blankets, and I stole that idea as well :D

 

I can't find his original webpage, but a google search can provide you with some info and some that followed his lead.

 

Found a link to Phil's article, it is now on yumpu (is that like the way back machine?)

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/3645330/1-72-space-shuttle-discovery-astrazoic

In most scales I dont think the relief texture of the tiles would show through. Maaaybe in 72nd. I'm working on a 1/144 and I think that even the slight texture of the decals is overdoing it a bit, but I do think they are the best bet. One could even paint on top of the decals to show streaking, etc. I saw Discovery at the Udvar-Hazy Center and the tiled surface is surprisingly smooth. What poses a bigger challenge to me is the blankets. They have a very distinct texture and pattern but again, replicating in 1/144 is difficult. In 72nd I've considered things like medical tape, but at this time I have no plans to build a 1/72 scale orbiter.