Originally posted by frank3
Now my question, how do I make these panels look so...visible? with the panel lines abit darkend up? I use a simple (but effective) airbrush which will, I hope, do the job. It isn't ajustable in spraying size or gas pressure.
And how can I make the bolts go more visible? And the scratched paintwork between the panels on the blue nose?
I kinda hung up my modelling gear a few years back when I had kids and discovered this virtual flying gig, but I used to do stuff like that. Got over a hundred unbuilt kits all packed away.
First the paint job. Natural metal is a ***** because you have to prepare the surface to be just about as flawless as you can possibly make it. No scratches or swirlies at all otherwise they'll all show up when you paint. I used to use either Testor's metalizer or Floquil paints. They all come in different shades but you could mix in a drop or two of black or blue to change the hue between panels.
Now the panel lines. It helps to have a model kit that has recessed panel lines to begin with otherwise you're sanding a whole lot more in the prep stage and re-scribing them in yourself. Once the kit has been painted and *dries completely*--I'd let it sit for a week without touching it so that it fully cures. Longer if you use enamels, otherwise you'll put fingerprints into the paint job. You have some choices here. One is to draw the lines in with a very small mechanical drawing pen or pencil. Another is to apply a "wash" of very thin water based black paint. this method is a bit faster and once you get the hang of it looks just as good.
To do the wash get a bottle of some water based acrylic black paint and thin some of it down with water. Take a small flat brush and just slop it around the area you want to mark. Do one area at a time. Now wipe most of it off with a tissue. The idea is to leave some of the paint in the panel joints while wiping it off the panels themselves.
Don't try and do this with an enamel. The idea of using water based paint is that it won't react with the hardened finish that you painted on the model and if you don't like what you've done you can just wipe it all off and do it over. Once you've applied an enamel wash its pretty much there.
The scratched paint can be done with a silver colored artist's pencil available in most art/hobby stores. Just make little "chips" where you want them. Don't overdo it. Less is more.
Best thing is to accumulate as many pictures of your subject as you can. That way you'll have a better idea of the effect you want to accomplish.
Good luck.
Drano
