1:72 Stencil for prints of tire treads

What the stencil is for

The tracks of wheels reveal that something happened in a scene before the viewer arrived. The vehicle drove in from somewhere, turned and stopped, instead of merely standing in the middle of an empty surface. Drawing tracks by hand tends to be the hardest part, because the tread has to repeat at the same spacing along the whole length. A stencil takes that work over.

What the stencil can do

It carries the pattern of a tire tread reduced in proportion to 1:72 scale, so the track created has the right width and the right spacing of the pattern. It is used repeatedly, so one piece once bought will serve the whole surface and further builds as well. The procedure for applying it and the recommended material are in the manufacturer's instructions.

Usage tips

• Try the result out as a rehearsal on an offcut of the same surface, and only then work on the scene.
• Measure the spacing of the tracks according to the track width of the vehicle standing in the scene.
• The track has to follow on from the wheels of the model, or it looks as though the vehicle landed sideways.
• In a bend the tracks of the front and the rear wheels do not coincide, so lead them separately.
• Clean the stencil after every use, as a dried remainder will smear the pattern next time.
• Unify the finished track with its surroundings with a weak deposit of pigment.

Who it is for

The aid is intended for builders of dioramas and display-case bases in 1:72 scale where wheeled vehicles move. It will serve also where tracks have to be repeated over a larger area at the same quality. The package contains only the stencil. A base, terrain material, vehicles, paints and pigments are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.