How To Paint Thinline Whitewalls...or redlines, or goldlines.....
by Lyle Willits

(Dec 21, 2007) -

Here's what ya need. A small compass with a quill attachment. (My compass is very old and dirty - your new one will be bright and shiny.) These can be purchased at art supply stores or on-line from art or drafting supply companies. A bottle of acrylic white paint. I have always used Polly Scale - it hasn't peeled or yellowed yet in 30 years. Your choice of tires (obviously) and an OLD wheel from the parts box that fits TIGHTLY in the tires.

Push the wheel tightly into the tire. Insert the pivot pin of the compass into the DEAD CENTER of the wheel. Adjust the compass to the desired demensions.

While being careful not to change the setting of the compass that you just adjusted, load the quill section with paint. I don't do this very scientifically - I just dip it in the jar and wipe off the excess from the outside surfaces of the quill.

Carefully place the compass pivot pin back into the tiny hole you made in the center of the wheel. Touch the paint-loaded quill to the tire and turn the compass at an even, steady pace. If the paint is too thick, it won't flow onto the tire. If the paint is too thin, it will immediately make a big blob when you touch the quill to the tire.

Will it come out right the first time? - PROBABLY NOT! Like anything else, this takes a little practice. The good news is that you are using water-based paints, so if you mess up badly, simply walk over to the sink and wash off the tire and start again.
If you make just a tiny booboo, you can usually correct it with a small brush and some Polly Scale Midnight Black.

Want to get real tricky? Use some Polly Scale blue and water it WAY WAY down so that the blue paint is hardly noticable. Brush this onto a white wall tire and let it completely dry. You will have a very subtle blue, blotchy coating , just like on new tires, before it is scrubbed off.

Happy painting.

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