Lovefordgalaxie Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 I started building a AMT '55 Chevy pickup, and I decided to convert it to stock. Problem is: No stock tires on the box. By far, my favorite model car tire is the Firestone Deluxe Champion from the old AMT kits. Also like the AMT Firestone Supreme, but those only can use a thinner whitewall. Since I have a bunch of AMT kits with those but ugly BFGs (the ones from the Edsel kit, and '62 Thunderbird, as an example), I decided I coul use some "home made" tires. Well, I have ZERO experience in casting resin, but that seems to be the way to do it reasonably on the cheap. Also thought: I could modify the old AMT tires as well, making the whitewall a separate item, to make painting and detailing easier. Well, I took two tires, a fresh 11 blade and my Dremel. Made a make shift "wheel" to attach on the Dremel, and selected the most true to perfect tires I could find on my stash. Started cutting the tire, to remove the whitewall: Before: Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr After: Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Also did it with a Firestone Supreme. Here it is without it's whitewall: Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr And here is the first mold I ever did: Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Kind of fun to make this: Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr First prototype: Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Started using the same resin used on fiberglass repair, and that was a mistake. The Firestone Deluxe Champion second prototype, already painted: Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr The Firestone Supreme second prototype: Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Resin Casting by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Now i'm making a new mold, to try to refine things, and will be using polyurethane resin instead. If I can get them tires to look as nice as the ones from the kit, after painted, Will make a bunch, for all my kits that will need one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Nice work, Tulio! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hgbben Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 That turned out really nice. Give yourself a pat on the back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CometMan Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Nice work, Tulio! And those '57 Ford wheel covers work on just about anything, don't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 cool ! and looking good ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Very nice work.Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovefordgalaxie Posted May 20, 2016 Author Share Posted May 20, 2016 Thanks guys.Now I'm waiting for the correct resin to arrive. Already made a better mold. My goal is to make the tires to look better, without gaps between the whitewall and the black "rubber". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mod3l Lover Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 I have to ask, why don't you just paintthe tires? It's a lot easier for sure! David S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovefordgalaxie Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 I have to ask, why don't you just paintthe tires? It's a lot easier for sure! David S.Because I just don't have them anymore in all my kits. Used most of them to replace bad tires on kits I was building at the time. Not to mention my '50s cars all use the Firestone Deluxe Champion, and AMT is not making them anymore. Only a different improved (for them ) version on some deluxe kits, and as parts packs. Making my own makes things a lot simpler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mod3l Lover Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I just knew that it was something like that.But wanted to ask anyway! I think there isavailable those tires you like from ScenesUnlimited or someone. Also I do agree, those old AMT tires arethe best looking when painted. David S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogfish_7 Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Enjoying your build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovefordgalaxie Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share Posted May 26, 2016 well, I finally got the looks I wanted. Changed the mold, so I don't have a runner on the tire thread, and changed the type of resin, from polyester to polyurethane. Now I have tires I can use. And for a LOT less than buying parts packs... Resin castings. by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Resin castings. by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Resin castings. by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Resin castings. by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Resin castings. by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Already used a set on my '55 Chevy truck: Chevy X Chevy by Túlio Lazzaroni, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBcritter Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Very nice job, Tulio - best part is those resin tires will never melt your wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted May 27, 2016 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Great work on those tires... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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