Something I'm messing with...

[Lovefordgalaxie]

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!!

[Harry P.]

Nice work, Tulio!

[hgbben]

That turned out really nice. Give yourself a pat on the back

[CometMan]

Nice work, Tulio! And those '57 Ford wheel covers work on just about anything, don't they?

[crazyrichard]

cool ! and looking good !

[charlie8575]

Very nice work.

Charlie Larkin

[Lovefordgalaxie]

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".

 

[mod3l Lover]

   I have to ask, why don't you just paint

the tires?  It's a lot easier for sure!

 

     David S.

[Lovefordgalaxie]

   I have to ask, why don't you just paint

the 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. 

[mod3l Lover]

   I just knew that it was something like that.

But wanted to ask anyway!  I think there is

available those tires you like from Scenes

Unlimited or someone.

   Also I do agree, those old AMT tires are

the best looking when painted.

 

     David S.

[Dogfish_7]

Enjoying your build!

[Lovefordgalaxie]

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

 

[ChrisBcritter]

Very nice job, Tulio - best part is those resin tires will never melt your wheels.

[slusher]

Great work on those tires...