SPA Modeler

What’s the best method? I used to do it by hand but never had great luck doing them. Unless they’re Monogram 4x4 plastic tires… those were a piece of cake.

Any tips/ideas would be appreciated.

I’d suggest a paint marker using the side of the tip.

I've read folks use Gelly Roll pens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075VLPL1F.

There's youtube videos out there.

Watched a couple videos on this. Jelly pens was one method but one user had no luck with them. Paint pen is a good one but aren't they all enamel based paint?

Now I understand why enamel paint is not recommended since that's what we had back in the 70s, 80s. They never dry completely. Acrylics is recommended. I do have a fine point brush to use.

Thanks all.

Other option is sand off the raised lettering and use decals.
I've had success with this process

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2026 6:34 am Watched a couple videos on this. Jelly pens was one method but one user had no luck with them. Paint pen is a good one but aren't they all enamel based paint?

Now I understand why enamel paint is not recommended since that's what we had back in the 70s, 80s. They never dry completely. Acrylics is recommended. I do have a fine point brush to use.

Thanks all.

That is some inaccurate information on enamels and paint pens. They certainly do dry completely. Especially the old stuff from back in the day. That stuff is nearly impossible to completely remove. Once it has dried and cured it is like tooth enamel and on there “for ev er”



And no not all paint pens are enamel based. I’m not sure about the Gunze brand ones, but I’m pretty sure that those are acrylics. AK paint pens are certainly acrylic. Dispae makes a wide variety of paint pens that I believe are acrylic as well. Yes the Sharpie brand paint pens are enamels.

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

Yeah one video mentioned decals.

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2026 9:58 am

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2026 6:34 am Watched a couple videos on this. Jelly pens was one method but one user had no luck with them. Paint pen is a good one but aren't they all enamel based paint?

Now I understand why enamel paint is not recommended since that's what we had back in the 70s, 80s. They never dry completely. Acrylics is recommended. I do have a fine point brush to use.

Thanks all.

That is some inaccurate information on enamels and paint pens. They certainly do dry completely. Especially the old stuff from back in the day. That stuff is nearly impossible to completely remove. Once it has dried and cured it is like tooth enamel and on there “for ev er”



And no not all paint pens are enamel based. I’m not sure about the Gunze brand ones, but I’m pretty sure that those are acrylics. AK paint pens are certainly acrylic. Dispae makes a wide variety of paint pens that I believe are acrylic as well. Yes the Sharpie brand paint pens are enamels.

That’s true what you said about enamel paint for lettering. My experience is it takes a looon time to completely cure. I’ve had times I got a little impatient waiting for them to dry as a kid. Left a tacky feel when handled.

I use both acrylic pens and paints for raised letters on tires. You can use a pencil eraser with some paint smeared on a post card and them just dab the tire letters and BOOM, there ya go.
I use Flymax paint pens in white. They work good, but you have to take your time and if you shake it gets pretty difficult to do. I prefer to use the eraser method, it's far easier to apply. You need a very thin layer on the eraser and it transfers to the tires perfectly and controlled.

These were painted with the Flymax pens.

Untitled by Brandon Kelly, on Flickr

This was painted with the eraser method. Both work, but this is the easiest for me to control.

Untitled by Brandon Kelly, on Flickr