How to: Removing the Ribbing from vinyl or rubber tires

DSM-Mark · #1 04-17-2003, 03:49 PM

Just an alternative to the FAQ method...

I've found that working by hand with sand paper ends up leaving start and finish marks as to the strokes you have made while sanding. Furthermore, polishing the tires loses the worn out look... which isn't necessarily bad, if you don't want it, I suppose.

Anyway, about the how to... this is very, very simple. I don't have any pictures, but you shouldn't need them.

Materials needed:
1) Socket set (ie, for a ratchet)
2) A drill... not a hobby drill, although a good dremel would probably work.
3) A socket adapter for use in a drill.
4) Various grades of sandpaper

Basically, find a socket that is slightly larger than the rim the tire fits onto. Then, slip the tire onto this socket... you should have to stretch it a little, but nothing too serious.

You've probably guessed the rest. Attach the socket to the drill, with the tire secured to the socket. Now, take your highest grit of sandpaper, and lay it flat on a table, or something else flat. Holding, or taping the sandpaper down, spin the drill and contact the tire to the sandpaper. Check it regularly, and don't press hard at all. Let the drill do the work. Also, be very wary of the temperature of the tire. Melting shouldn't be too much of an issue, but if you force it down, it could very easily happen. Exercise caution!!

Work down the grits until you find a coarseness that you like.

Pros to this method.
1) Easy
2) All the scratch lines are directional, pointing along the circumference of the tire.
3) You can choose the tire wear condition.

I'm not sure if this has been done before. I did think it up myself though, back when I was a teenager and never surfed the web!

Verminator · #2 04-17-2003, 04:01 PM

Nice one fellow AF er seems very simple and a good way to get even wear as long as you dont go mad, Good Friday tomorrow so I may be giving it a whirl (excuse the pun) as im not at work

tonioseven · #3 04-17-2003, 05:28 PM

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to try it.

fullbloodchop01 · #4 04-17-2003, 05:51 PM

great turorila, thought of this before but never tried iot, i guess now i need to

Hiroboy · #5 04-17-2003, 11:01 PM

Thats what I do, and it works very well.

charger2000 · #6 06-09-2004, 02:36 PM

Hi to all !

I'm currently using this method for all the 1/20 scale tyres from F1 kits:

- a real drill
- this ...

- a piece of sandpaper 150
- and a... portable vacuum cleaner, lots of dirt !

put a double-side piece of scotch under the sandpaper and stick it to the table

"plug" the tyre into the tool

set the drill at MINIMUM speed.

And after CLEANING after each pass the sandpaper with the vacuum cleaner, and spending approx 5min for each tyre, you'll have this result:

hope someone will find it useful !

Murray Kish · #7 06-09-2004, 06:35 PM

This is exactly what I do too. (using the socket to hold the tire.)

Murray

billypee · #8 03-13-2006, 10:10 AM

Just another thing to add. The line down the centre of F1 tyres is part of the detail, i.e. not flash. If you are modelling a new tyre you should keep the line there and not sand it out. It should also be accentuated with a little white too! If you want to model a part worn tyre then sand away.
Just dont sand the line out and apply a Goodyear Eagle tyre sticker on there! :-)

Rosco P. Coltrane · #9 03-13-2006, 10:45 AM

Sweet. I really need to get a drill like that.

dag65 · #10 03-14-2006, 10:41 AM

I had that idea some time ago, although mine is cheaper and holds the tire firm and straight

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=167087

dag65 · #11 03-14-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charger2000