Guide to Realistic Tires and Struts
Here a few simple tricks to make your tires and landing
struts look more realistic. These parts are quite small and
intricate. So, adding some depth will make them stand
out.
1. I recommend that all strut parts and wheels be
airbrushed or can sprayed if possible. This will
give a flat, even coat and will give the appearance of
smooth metal. Hand brushing will give an uneven,
textured surface that will be noticeable. Any enamel or
lacquer aluminum paint will do.
2. If the tires have recessed treads, use a scribing tool or
Xacto to clean and deepen the treads some. You will
want the treads to hold a wash later. Paint the tires
with a standard flat black. They can either be hand or
airbrushed.
3. Once everything is dry, apply a dark wash to all
recessed and raised detail of the struts and wheels.
This may take a couple of tries to get the wash to show
up. Let dry.
4. Use a damp Q-tip to remove the wash where it's not
wanted. A clean, damp pointed brush will also remove
the wash in harder to reach areas
5. Any additional detail can easily be enhanced with
dry-brushing and washes.
6. For a muddy/dirty effect on the tire, apply a liberal
amount of wash to the treads. I use a yellow
ochre/burnt umber mixture which will contrast with
the black tire. When wet, the wash will not show. As it
dries, the pigment will lighten and appear as mud
trapped in the treads. Several applications may be
necessary for visible results.
7. Weathering powders can be randomly brushed on the
sidewalls for additional contrast as well.
Here a few simple tricks to make your tires and landing
struts look more realistic. These parts are quite small and
intricate. So, adding some depth will make them stand
out.
1. I recommend that all strut parts and wheels be
airbrushed or can sprayed if possible. This will
give a flat, even coat and will give the appearance of
smooth metal. Hand brushing will give an uneven,
textured surface that will be noticeable. Any enamel or
lacquer aluminum paint will do.
2. If the tires have recessed treads, use a scribing tool or
Xacto to clean and deepen the treads some. You will
want the treads to hold a wash later. Paint the tires
with a standard flat black. They can either be hand or
airbrushed.
3. Once everything is dry, apply a dark wash to all
recessed and raised detail of the struts and wheels.
This may take a couple of tries to get the wash to show
up. Let dry.
4. Use a damp Q-tip to remove the wash where it's not
wanted. A clean, damp pointed brush will also remove
the wash in harder to reach areas
5. Any additional detail can easily be enhanced with
dry-brushing and washes.
6. For a muddy/dirty effect on the tire, apply a liberal
amount of wash to the treads. I use a yellow
ochre/burnt umber mixture which will contrast with
the black tire. When wet, the wash will not show. As it
dries, the pigment will lighten and appear as mud
trapped in the treads. Several applications may be
necessary for visible results.
7. Weathering powders can be randomly brushed on the
sidewalls for additional contrast as well.
Without a dark wash
With a dark wash
| Example of one part detailed with metallic pencil and wash and the other was not |
| Completed strut and tire |
Creating Muddy Tires
In most cases, aircraft used dirt landing strips. Due to the
elements, these runways became muddy and sloppy. As the
photo shows, the aircraft often had to taxi through the
mess. Here is a method to simulate clumped mud on tires.
This process can be used for any application that requires
this effect. Here is a small list of the items needed. I found
them all at Hobby Lobby.
1. A small mixing bowl
2. A small, stubby brush
3. A few drops of water-based scenic cement
4. A pinch of fine, dark brown model railroad ballast
5. 2 shades of earth tone dry pastels
6. Xacto knife
How to mix and apply:
1. Shave the pastels into a fine powder with the Xacto.
2. Add a pinch of the ballast to the pastels.
3. Add a few drops of the cement to the pastels. If you add
too much, the mix will be too runny. If this happens, just
add some pastel to thicken.
4. Mix the ingredients with the brush into a thick slurry.
5. Using the brush, apply the mix to the tire and sidewalls.
Place a thick coat all the way around the tire except where
the tire sits on the surface. Leave this area uncovered.
6. Allow to fully dry. The cement will dry flat which will give a
dried mud effect.
This mix can be applied to other details as well. This
includes tailwheels, landing struts, drop tanks, etc. Be
creative!
In most cases, aircraft used dirt landing strips. Due to the
elements, these runways became muddy and sloppy. As the
photo shows, the aircraft often had to taxi through the
mess. Here is a method to simulate clumped mud on tires.
This process can be used for any application that requires
this effect. Here is a small list of the items needed. I found
them all at Hobby Lobby.
1. A small mixing bowl
2. A small, stubby brush
3. A few drops of water-based scenic cement
4. A pinch of fine, dark brown model railroad ballast
5. 2 shades of earth tone dry pastels
6. Xacto knife
How to mix and apply:
1. Shave the pastels into a fine powder with the Xacto.
2. Add a pinch of the ballast to the pastels.
3. Add a few drops of the cement to the pastels. If you add
too much, the mix will be too runny. If this happens, just
add some pastel to thicken.
4. Mix the ingredients with the brush into a thick slurry.
5. Using the brush, apply the mix to the tire and sidewalls.
Place a thick coat all the way around the tire except where
the tire sits on the surface. Leave this area uncovered.
6. Allow to fully dry. The cement will dry flat which will give a
dried mud effect.
This mix can be applied to other details as well. This
includes tailwheels, landing struts, drop tanks, etc. Be
creative!
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