Quick answer
The APC Spare Wheel adds realistic detail to armored vehicle kits and dioramas. Use it as a stowage item, a replacement part, or a terrain prop.
Where to place the spare wheel
The wheel works best on vehicle hulls, turret sides, or as a standalone terrain piece. Avoid overcrowding the model; one spare wheel per vehicle reads as believable stowage.
How to use the APC Spare Wheel
- Clean and prepare the resin part: Wash the spare wheel in warm soapy water to remove mold release. Dry thoroughly. Check for flash lines and remove them with a hobby knife. Skipping the wash can cause paint to peel later.
- Choose a mounting location: Dry-fit the wheel on the vehicle or diorama base. Common spots: rear hull, turret basket, or beside a crew hatch. Mark the contact area with a pencil. Test placement before gluing to avoid a permanent mistake.
- Glue the wheel in place: Apply a small drop of cyanoacrylate (super glue) to the wheel hub. Press it onto the marked spot and hold for 10 seconds. Let it cure for 30 minutes. Too much glue can seep out and ruin the surface finish.
- Paint the wheel to match the vehicle: Prime the wheel with a rattle can or airbrush. Apply a base coat in the vehicle's camouflage color. Dry-brush the tire section with a dark gray for a rubber look. Paint the wheel before gluing if you want a clean edge, but after gluing if you need to blend the base.
- Add weathering for realism: Use a wash of thinned brown or black paint in the wheel recesses. Stipple on a little mud-colored pigment powder around the hub. Seal with matte varnish. Over-weathering hides the detail; less is more for a 28mm scale part.
Product details
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APC Spare Wheel: This kit contains one spare wheel for use with a 28mm plastic armored truck. Hand cast in high quality resin. The resin material takes paint well and the 28mm scale matches Victoria Miniatures vehicle kits, so you get a seamless fit.
APC Spare Wheel