Best Way To Get Realistic Panels On Aircraft?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hey All
I have nearly completed my 1/32 Hasegawa F-16A and i am now trying to get the engraved panels to stand out on it.
What is the best way to go about it?
Thanks
Robert

2

I use a oil wash mix of burnt umber and black (just a very light dab of each in the bottom of a mixing cup) that is thinned with turpintine. I soak a thin bristle brush in the mixture and lightly touch the tip of the brush to the panel line. Capillary action carries the wash along the lines and that’s it.
Cheers.
Chris[:D]

3

wooty;
A6Efan has a good way but there are a number of ways to get the panel lines to stand out but you must remember most newer planes panel lines DO NOT stand out like alot of modelers make them to be, but another way is to apply your gloss coats and decals seal it again then what I use is Acrylic paints diluted with acrylic thinners to almost water like consistancy and apply it with a fine tipped paint brush and only let it paint flow by capalary flow into the panel lines and clean up the excess then seal the weathering

4

OK Guys
I’ll give it a go just hope my hands are steady enough…you guys make it sound easy…
Thanks
Robert

5

swannys site shows you brushing the mixture on; then wiping the surface down with windex removing it from the surface and leaving the paint in the crevices.

might try that if the capilary proves insufficient. I havent done either yet.

6

Ares sounnds like it could be a bit easier!!
I shall give it a go and let ya know how it went
Thanks for that
Robert

7

Try artists watercolours, the ones that come in tubes.

Again burnt umber and black work well, just mix with water, slap on the panel lines and allow to dry off.

Then take a piece of damp kitchen towel, and wipe at 90 degrees to the direction of panel line. This removes the excess, while leaving paint in the panel line itself.

If you don’t like the results you can just wash them off and start again.

Karl

8

Ok Karl if all else fails i’ll try it aswell!!!
Thanks
Robert

9

probably a more accurate way on modern planes would be to paint the panel lines a brighter, newer looking shade of the paint than the rest of the panel. the edges are repainted all the time, as they chip/get scraped from handling.

10

My 2 cents’ worth: I usually need to apply the diluted paint 3 or more times to get the panel lines to stand out as I want.