I’m working on Tamiya’s 1:48 F4U-1D, converting it to a -1C, and I need to change the ammo doors on the upper wings from 3 sets to two. what is the best and easiest way to fill panel lines, and also to scribe new ones (I’ve only tried this once before, and it didn’t turn out that well) Any suggestions?
You can thin squadron white putty with liquid cement and use to fill the panel lines. Your can thin so it’s flowable and if you’re careful you won’t need much sanding. I prefer this to using CA because you have to sand a lot make the finish come out right. Once filled I use a scribing tool and a small metal straight edge to guide the tool.
I had to redo some panel lines on my Lindberg X-3 and they came out fine. I also use thinned putty to replicate rivets.
Well, I usually have to do this procedure when I get over zealous with a scribing tool or knife…[banghead] I use thin CA and let it “capillary” down the trough. Before it sets TOO hard, I (GENTLY) scrape or sand it flush to the surrounding surface abd leave it alone for a while, then rescribe as needed. Works well for me, hope it is of some hlep, Jaypack!
Brian [C):-)]
Mate,
Do yourself a favor and get a scribing tool. Micro-Mark, Squadron, Bare Metal Foil and others make them…they’re really not that expensive, and they work very well - much better than the back of a #11 X-Acto blade.
I’ve found that superglue works well (better than putty, in my opinion) - and if you sand it fairly quickly after hitting it with Zip Kicker, it’ isn’t too bad. You still have to be careful about wiping out surrounding detail, because you’ll end up sanding more than if you would using putty.
I find the superglue scribes as easily as the styrene, and doesn’t chip or flake like some putties do.
You might check out Swanny’s tutorial
Yes, Swanny’s bit definitely! And for ammo doors…they make those green templates for draftsmen…circles, rectangles etc…they also have rectangles with rounded corners…you might check a college bookstore or a drafting supply place