[volkerc]

If you are in the same boat like me, than here is a solution.
I struggle with the tire decals as they don't have that real feeling to me.
Aside from that they hardly stay on. Recently built a Nascar #3 slotcar 
that I had applied the kit supplied decals to the tires. They would not stay
on, fell apart, cause they were old and applying  a flat clear really destroyed
 the look. So I came across a seller of stencils who was doing the old white 
style letter Tire stencils. Decided to ask him if he could produce stencils that 
have those lines running through the letters. So we exchanged some 
thoughts and he agreed to get a stencil done. Just arrived and I painted the 
tires and it looks lightyears better than the decals. These stencils will go into
 mass production available for everybody. So if you like the look, here is 
another and I think better option than decals. I used Tamyia XF3 and XF2 to
 mix the yellow. I used a full glass of XF3 and added 85-90% XF2 to come 
up with the color. 
No more issues with decals coming off, replacing tires and no decals at hand.
 Just clean the tires and repaint as needed. As often as needed. Nail
the painted look of the real deal.


Photo above shows the Kits decal and a test paint with XF3 which is too dark


Photo above shows the proto stencil, Tire on car with the XF3/2 mix, next a tire with XF3 and the old stencil painted  a tire with Vallejo zinc yellow


Photo above shows a close up 


Photo above painted tires using the stencil