Realistic tires

[The Moparian]

So I'm working on a rustic looking pickup. Supposed to look like a barn find. Well I melted the tires to flatten them but want to make it look like dry rot also. Anyone have any tips?

[mikevillena]

Google:

https://www.google.com/search?q=dry+rot+tires&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ePdWU63iIdTyyAGi4IH4Aw&ved=0CCUQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=672

If your kit has rubber like tires you could try putting them in a food dehydrator and leave them there for several days. Then take them out and squish them to promote cracking. Paint the tires a dull dark grey and add washes to bring out the cracks. Just a suggestion.

[Modelbuilder Mark]

One of the easy things to do is use pigments or pastels to age them. Use dullcoat on the tires, then mix up a really thin wash of pigments mixed with alcohol, using light tones like gray etc. Then apply the wash and just before completely dry, take a cloth and wipe them off. Then apply earth tones for dirt and dust. This is basically what I did in the picture below, just not to the extreme.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/uploads/med_gallery_8985_885_453335.jpg

If they are rubber, you may also try soaking them in alcohol to dry out/crack the rubber, then highlight the cracks with washes as suggested. I would just suggest experimenting and stick with what works for you.