Sorry in advance for the newbie question.
I’m using photo-etch rails for the first time and trying to figure out the best way of assembling/painting.
I’m thinking I should assemble the pe deck fittings/doors along with the model but put off installing the railings until after most painting is done so they don’t come loose with masking, etc. Then I’m planning on putting them in place and using a brush (and great care) to paint them.
Is this a reasonable plan? Anyone with any advice?
Thanks
I generally add my railings first then pain, kinda in the mindset that the paint will help ensure they look part of the ship, not an add on later. Then I like to paint the rope lines in black or rope color depending on how they looked on the ship. Hope this helps.
Ric
Hey brother , me too!!! I can’t get them attached!!! HELP!!! SOS!!! There has got to be some high-speed, low drag approach to this, but I can’t figure it out either!
camarojoe2001@yahoo.com
when it comes to photoetch i always hold to the old adage the you install the parts from the top down then work out to the railings which i always attach last. before painting, i always rub them with steel wool to give the paint something to grip too. you didnt state whish scale you are working in. if it is a small scale you work in then use pointers to gauge how much railing you need then remove from the fret. this can be uesd in 1-350 scale also. when it comes to painting, i always paint the rails off the model and then install them. i use a pin in the end of a pencil with the little eraser at the end to stick the pin in. i the spot glue the railings in place. when that spot glue is dry (super glue), i run a bead of glue glue around the whole railing. when that is dry, i use a fine tipped brush to cover the base of the railing where it meets the deck. then to level everything out , i spray the whole model with a matt clear of choice for a seamless transition. if in doubt, i recommend you purchase mike asheys book :- how to build model ships. i hope this helps you friend and smooth sailing. i forgot to mention, when painting the rails off the model, i attach them to doubled over tape on a piece of flat dowel.
Great advice!! [:)]
I personally like to do as much to the topside detail as I can before attaching the railing, so I won’t accidently crush a section while working around it. Like Mark said: “…install the parts from the top down then work out to the railings which i always attach last.”
Take care,
Frank
What I do is assemble the plastic (resin) first and paint the major parts and sections. After that, I attach the PE railing.
The railing is prepared by carefully rubbing it with an abrasive (steel wool or sandpaper) to give it a tooth for the paint. Then, using my trusty airbrush, I give it a coat of paint, depending on the color of the ship. Any other colors of the camo scheme are brushpainted after the rail is attached.
To attach the rail, I use thin and thick superglue and a toothpick or pin to apply it.
Hope this helps.
I find photoetch to be to much of a problem on 1/700 scale ships. When I use them I usually use a slow drying gel super glue to attach them. Railing can drive you insane. Best to attach it before any paint is applied.