scratchbuilt tires: looking for input

[white97ex]

So here is the deal. I need custom tires for my Camaro. I've got one sidewall complete thanks to some help provided by Mike Lawrence. I had planned on casting 4 out of resin and then creating soem ribs for the inside to give it some stability and support for the tread. Then either finding someone or molding and casting them myself. Then I started to wonder, what if I create the molds for the individual sections, cast them out of black casting rubber and then assemble. Possibly cast the sidewalls and the tread from casting rubber, and the inner supports from resin? Any ideas/comments?

Also, Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about creating the raised lettering, so I don't end up with "generic brand" tires. I was thinking about scanning my sidewall into the computer, layout the proper lettering, spacing and curvature. Then printing it out on card stock, cutting it out and glueing it to the sidewall, then hitting it with some urethane clear to seal it from the RTV

[white97ex]

Here is my plan of attack. Again, this idea is TIGHTLY based on the way Mike plans to create the tires for his Streetrod.

Get the proper diameter and then figure the number of sections needed to make the total length. Create one single section of the tire, then cast copies and form a template to create the finished product with. Clean up the master, make a new mold and then pour a silicone peice (or whatever the casting rubber is for tires and belts) With the sidewalls and inner ribbing in place (keep in mind that the ribbing would be made from resin and would be much stiffer than the casting rubber used for the sidewalls. Start at one end, and slowly work my way around the tire, glueing the tread in place little by little. I know it would be a long process, especially to create 4 tires, But I feel that, outside of finding someone to make molds of my tire and cast it, I feel that this would be a much more cost effective way of going about creating my tires. I like the photoetch idea, but at this particular time, I do not have the ability to do photoetch. I am still in the process of looking for someone to create some for me though.

I am open to any suggestions or recommendations.

[mike@af]

Russell I think your best plan of attack is what you have now. If possible you could have your friend turn the center section on the lathe out of resin, and glue the sidewalls on. I plan on making a two piece mold for my tires and using black casting rubber to make copies. Good luck!

[white97ex]

thanks Mike. Do you think that my plan will work, as well as be structurally sound and not come apart on me? I think that I might save some RTV as well, As I will only need 4 molds total. One for the sidewall, one for the inner ribs and two for tread....well maybe it wont...hmm...I will definately have a lighter tire than a solid rubber cast piece. Now I need to work on how to create the tread sections.