im building a f-106 and im wondering how do u make the instrument panel look more real when your using decals do you paint the instrument panel white [behind the decals] or black??
answer will be greatful
Unless there’s clear sections in the decal, I wouldn’t think the paint matters much. I’ve never tried it, but you might be able to use small bits to drill very slight indentations where the dials would be, then use solvaset to make the decal sink in. Like I say, I’ve never tried that, so be warned it’s unproven.
Dave
- The North Spin - The Place for Everything Flight Test
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I don’t like to use decals for instrument panels. They add a toy like quality to a model. If the panel has raised details paint the dials the required colors and then use a white or silver colored pencil to pick out the raised detail. When you are satisfied with the look add a drop of clear to the dials. You’ll be amazed with the results.
Instrument decals can, in my opinion, add a lot tot he over all look of an IP. The kit decals may leave a lot to be desired but there are beautiful AM decals. These are Mike grant decal. Actually they are 1/48 and used on 1 1/24 FW 190D-9 IP, I just used all the largest one on the sheet with a little Krystal Klear on each for the glass face. But even a kit decal will work if they are cut out and placed individually on each instrument. Applying the whole decal and trying to get it line up so it looks good are a chore and you are lucky at best of you get it too work.
I’m with wing_nut, instruments cut individually from a decal can look very good.
Tamiya 1/48 P-47 instrument panel decal
Man you guys do some awesome work! Are you sure those are decals? [:-,]
I normally paint the instrument panel if it has raised detail, but if its just a blank piece, try getting a colored PE set for it. That will add great detail and it looks a lot better than the normal kit decals. Resin parts might be another way to go, but I can’t comment on that, I haven’t worked with resin much, and the one time I did, it was an utter failure!
If the kit has a decal, I’ll paint the IP black, then drybrush some RLM 66 (black/grey) to give it texture. Then a silver drybrush to pick out the raised detail. I’ll apply the decal, hit it with softner, then a dull coat. Top of the dials with a drop of Future, and I think it looks quite good. I use the same technique even if there is no decals.
This is a P-47 IP I did recently, using the included Tamiya decals.
natedog,
Having used all the above methods sucessfully, I paint when I can, decal (if they are decent decals or Mike Grant) or use p.e. occaisionally. A tip for painting: Use thinned white to fill each dial face and let it dry thoroughly , then use thinned black, which will run down and settle in the low spots, leaving the raised details white. Takes some practice, but it works OK. Just my [2c] worth.
Brian [C):-)]
wing_nut,
Those Mike Grant decals look great, nice job! I build mostly 1/72nd scale. So when I say decals look toylike I’m refering to the black & white, one size fits all instrument panel decals that are offered in most 1/72 scale kits, namely Hasegawa. I’m thrilled when I open up a braile scale kit and find that the IP has raised details that I can paint and not have to go the aftermarket route.
I will look into those Mike Grant decals for my next 1/48th build, I hate the way the recent Tamiya kits give you the blank dials on their IP’s. I think your system with the decals looks better than PE.
And to be honest, I hate painting cockpits! I do it on real airplanes all day. So if I spend all day working on a 1:1 scale F/A-18 Hornet’s instrument panel it’s kind of a drag to come home and fuss over one in 1/72nd scale. I like to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. Colored pencils & paint work wonders for me and allow me to move onto the parts of modeling I enjoy most.
Mike Grant has the IP decals in 1/72 scale as well.
Some of these panel pics are so close…My camera would produce blobs if I tried to get an image that tight.
where do we get Mike Grant decals???
Here’s the link:
Natedog;
There are some great decals out there for Instrumentation but I still prefer to paint my details (in Testors MM Enamals), what I do is paint the panel the main color (in your case Neutral Gray FS 36270) then let it dry for about 2 to 4 hours, then I paint the instrument bezels A/C Insturment Black FS 38031 and let it dry over night, then I dry brush the panel with Ft White FS 37875 on the main panel and Neutral Gray FS 36270 for the side consoles, then I use a 000 paint brush for the Instrument “Flags” (most are Flouresent Red FS 28915 and Insignia Yellow FS 33531) that are on the faces by the needles on the Instruments, and Clear Green for the CRT screens (with the Black back ground) after all this is done I let it set for over night then I use a Acrylic Black Wash, then I weather the cockpit with Light Gray FS 36495 and Silver (doesn’t matter which manufacture) paints and after this dries I then apply Krystel Kleer to the Instrument & CRT Faces and then I done