How do I make these rims look more realistic?

[conchan]

Rims are from a Tamiya Mustang GT Convertible kit. 
I don’t have access to an airbrush. 
Thanks for the tips.

stay safe and enjoy!

 

 

[gman]

[gman]

A coat of semi-gloss clear should get those wheels looking accurate- flow a little thinned black acrylic in the logos if you want them to stand out.

[peteski]

The photo shows that those kit's rims already have nice factory-applied satin silver finish (not the super reflective "chrome" finish). If a more dull look is desired, use spray can of Dullcote or even aluminum paint. Not need to strip the factory finish - paint will stick to it just fine.

[espo]

As Greg and Peter both pointed out the kits wheel finish looks very close to the photos that Greg sent that show an original looking Mustang. My only thought would be a very light brushing with either Tamiya Black Panel Line Accent Color or their X-19 Smoke. Looking at your photo you will notice how the two wheels on the left side are somewhat darker than the two on the right. This is probably because of the lighting, but this is the sort of difference you might expect using the suggested paints. 

[conchan]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply to my query. 
I appreciate it. 
Using Panel Line occurred to me but not using a semi-gloss clear or smoke paint overtop.

Will post the results when I get a chance.
Thanks again.
Stay safe and enjoy! 

[peteski]

The more I look at those rims the more I think that like many other aluminum rims on 1:1 cars, these are actually painted using silver paint.  Smoke tint will make them look dark warm gray (smoky), and that's not what the 1:1 rims look like.  They just look like they are painted with silver paint.  Not sparkly metallic silver but just dull metallic aluminum.

[gman]

7 hours ago, conchan said:

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply to my query. 
I appreciate it. 
Using Panel Line occurred to me but not using a semi-gloss clear or smoke paint overtop.

Will post the results when I get a chance.
Thanks again.
Stay safe and enjoy! 

Don't forget to scrub the tires with Comet cleanser on an old toothbrush to get that used rubber look ;).

[Dave G.]

You can get to that sheen by mixing a little gloss coat into Dullcoat or similar product. The full size car photo shows a nice uniform satin finish that is a bit less sheen than semi gloss.

The kit wheels are shown two in shadow and two in direct light as shown by the back sheet they sit on. Just fwiw.