How do I apply decals to tires?

Submitted by f1m on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 00:36

How do I apply decals to tires?

  1. Sanded the tread (mold line) with 320 grit sandpaper. This makes it quite quick and easy to do. Then smooth it out with 1200 grit.

  2. Washed the tyres in detergent to get mold release off of it.

  3. Paint the rims Model master Flat Black. Run a cotton bud/Q-tip over this to give it a little sheen. But it was definitely not X-18 Semi-Gloss black.

  4. Place the tyres on the rims.

  5. Apply the decals like the instructions suggest. (It gets better with practice!). Once, the decals have stuck to the rubber, use Micro Sol to push any air out from underneath the decals. Also, some gentle heat (not too hot!)from a hairdryer helps melt them on. Not too much heat though!!!

  6. Rinse off the decal residue when dry, with a Q-tip soaked in water.

  7. Make a masking template disc out of cardboard using the rims (you can do this before you start!).

  8. Placed a dowel through the centre of the cardboard cutout , and at the height of the wheels lying flat. (I used a brass tube/rod that I had lying around.). I superglued it in place.

  9. Wrap the tyre in masking tape (I used the tan type/or Tamiya).

  10. Placed the tyre on a flat surface, and centred the dowel with the mask which I held in place, and proceeded to spray the Acryl Flat Clear. (Others have used Gunze gloss and flat in the spray can, others have used Testors Glosscote and dullcoat lacquer. Again, it\'s individual choice here. Experiment on spares!) 

    Get a good coverage, then leave it. Let it dry a bit, then do it again, and then leave it to dry for a day. Turn it around and do the same for the other side.

  11. When dry, carefully unwrap the masking tape (notice how it has lifted all the stuff from the sanded tread). You may even do this technique to lift the stuff off of it, before applying decals.

  12. Try not to leave teh masking tape on for too long as some can leave nasty residue which is a pain to remove. Again, use a good quality tape to avoid this problem.

  13. Decorate the tyre with markings using acrylic paint and a very fine brush. Consult your references here.

  14. Add tyre valves using a drilled photoetch bolt head, and a piece of fine wire. Just consult your references to make it realistic.

  15. Stand aside and admire your work!!!!

GENERAL NOTES: 

Don't use enamels on tyres. They aren't compatible. I found the Acryl Flat Clear excellent for this application. 

__________________

Eric Aitala, Ph.D.
http://www.f1m.com
http://www.ericaitala.com

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Eagle50's picture

Align your tire decals better

Submitted by Eagle50 on Wed, 12/14/2011 - 03:01.

Another tip I've learnt from a modelling magazine, for the "sticky side up" tire decals that Tamiya etc make:

Hold the decal sheet up to a bright light, and write "raeydooG" (Goodyear, Bridgestone, etc) in reverse, on the backside of the decal sheet, with a soft pencil. That way, when you put the tire logos on, you can see how the letters line up, with the arc of your tires, much better. I've used the technique twice now, and got my tire decals on much straighter because of it.

Oh, and I find it helps to tape down the edges of the decal sheet's top wax paper, first. That way, the wax paper doesn't fall off, as you're cutting the tire logos out, and you don't get your fingerprints on sticky side - which would make the decals stick poorly.

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