Tried my hand at painting the knobs/switches on the instrument panel of my 1/35 OH-58 Kiowa’s cockpit, and it didn’t turn out to well. I’ll have to respray the cockpit and try again. How do you guys paint knobs, switches, etc and have it turn out really neat and clean? What technique, brushes, etc. do you guys use? Thanks for your help.
In 1/35, you could just about use a paint roller, available at any hardware store![:P]
Seriously now, I use a fine tip brush, lots of patience, and a steady hand. Barely touch the tip of the brush to the paint, and do the same where you want the paint. I usually get only one dial/needle per dip, but can get a few tic marks on the instrument per dip. Works the same for lettering/plackards.
I use a 5/0 or 10/0 sable brush for detail painting, with juft a little bit of paint. It is easier to paint dail twice then to repaint the whole thing.
When using paint for tiny details try and pick out the mostly pigment infused paint, avoid runny or fully mixed paint.
Another technique is to ‘dab’ the details on with a toothpick. Its more tedious and take a few dabs yet it offers more control and does not risk paint flowing out of the brush onto other details.
Thanks for the replies guys! I’ll give your suggestions a try. I guess more than anything, I’ll need to be patient.
I use a toothpick instead of a brush. I use those sharp ended, double ended toothpicks.
I shake the bottle, so that there is a film in the cap. I put the cap on the bench upside down so I can dip the point of the toothpick into the paint film in the cap. Only a small amount goes on the tip of the toothpick, just right for applying small dots of paint to details.
For really small buttons, an old airbrush needle works very well.
Though this is definitely one of those times in modeling when I wish I could blow the part up to like 1/4 scale, paint, and shrink it back down!
I almost always paint the main panel colour, then drybrush everything with either a lighter colour, or a metallic (silver or gunmetal) I find this gives the area I’m dealing with some extra depth right away, making it easier to pick out those little details with a small brush or needle, whatever your preference is. And if you miss one or two… they’ve at least been highlighted.
I use colored markers!
Technical pens work great for such small detailing work.
I agree with the general consensus - a very fine brush or a round ended toothpick. Patience and steady nerves are a must.
Have you thought about the detailing paint “sticks”?
They are basically a toothpick with a tiny applicator on the end, and will hold a very small amount of paint.
Can be found at Micheals, hobby Lobby, and most hobby shops.
About $2 for a pack of 10 (I think)
Here is a link for the MICROBRUSH>
The SUPER fine size might interest you.
These things also work great for detailing sharp edges, and paint bleed over.
http://www.micromark.com/Fine-Microbrushes-Pkg-of-30,8375.html