• Dismantle car and remove axles.

 

• If fixed to a metal axle snip off the end to release the wheels (the axle can be reused on another project). Always wear eye protection and ensure the end is facing away from you when you cut.

 

• At the back of the wheel there is often a slightly elongated sleeve that holds the wheel level. This will prevent the ‘mine’ from sitting flat, remove this with snips. 

 

• Any imperfections that prevent the ‘mine’ from sitting flat can be removed by passing the back of the wheel over wet and dry fine grit sandpaper. The mine can also be sanded down to lower it’s profile if required.

 

• If the wheels have ‘chrome’ detailing this can be removed using oven cleaner. Place all the wheels in a sealable jam jar and spray a generous amount of oven cleaner into the jar, leave overnight and rinse well to clean. (See: Chrome Removal).

 

• The axle hole can be filled using Plastruct rod cut to size, a little can be left extending above the mine as an antenna.

 

• The ‘mines’ can be used from this stage but will really pop with a bit of paint and can be colour coded to designate mine type and player. If you haven’t filled the axle hole you can use it to mount the mines on cocktail sticks which can be stuck into blue foam or similar for ease of painting.

 

• Prime in black or the base colour of your choice; drybrush and ink wash to pick out detail. Any fine details around the centre of the hub can be picked out as lights to indicate that the mine is ‘armed’. The finished mines can be weathered to taste.

 

• Once complete it’s worth giving the mines a quick coat of matt spray varnish to protect them from handling.

 

Mines! Ready to wreak revenge on the wheels that replaced them...