SPA Modeler

Gary Brantley wrote: ↑Thu Aug 06, 2026 7:08 am Back in the '60s, I'd paint the white plastic tires flat black, then carefully sand the black paint away from the raised letters on the tires. Came out very neat!

I’ve seen that technique done with panel lines on aircraft kits molded with raised details. It looked really good.

Carlos, I tried that technique on the underside of my Monogram F-84F:

That looks really good there Gary!

keavdog wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2026 8:34 am Other option is sand off the raised lettering and use decals.
I've had success with this process

That's usually the method I go with John. I've painted the raised lettering but it doesn't turn out as well as the decaling method does. I also go over the whole sidewall of the tire with a light dry brushing of ground up black pastel to add some wear effects to it.

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Fri Aug 07, 2026 10:03 am That looks really good there Gary!

Thanks! I was kinda surprised it turned out that well.