I know that a lot of us use a permanent black marker to color the stretched sprue antenna wire and sometimes the rigging wires on our airplanes, and I use one to color the rigging on the cargo ships I usually build, but what brand do you prefer? I’ve used both Sharpie and Marks-A-Lot.
I started out using a Sharpie because it was the brand most frequently mentioned in FSM articles and on the forum here. It does OK, but it seems to me that it has a funny kind of sheen or oily/wet look in certain light, and sometimes it just looks “off” somehow.
I tried a Marks-A-Lot on my just finished P-51 and so far like it a lot better. For one the the broad chisel tip makes coloring the spure easier, and to date it just looks “blacker.” Anyone else have a preferance?
I have used sharpies and they work alright. The one I use now is my favourite. My daughter has those Mr.Sketch smelly felts and I use the black licorice…mmmmm…my fav…when i am done coloring the sprue, I get to sniff it as well…LOL
I have been told that human hair makes the perfect 1:48 antenae. I have been eyeing my wifes pretty black hair now for over 25 years (In a whole new way recently) and plan to use it on my current jug. No sharpie required.
What exactly is “marks-a-lot?”
Just a particular brand name for a felt tipped marker.
I use Sharpies to color certain tiny parts on my customs but it looks shiny blue, not black I found a way to make my antennas. I chuck a short length of .005 brass rod in my Dremel & lay it across a sanding wand. You can “step” it & taper it. Works pretty cool. I’m talking 1/18 scale.
Mind telling me what stretch sprue is. I know what a sprue is but what’s the stretching part.
You take a piece of the sprue that plastic kit parts are attached to and heat it over a candle flame until it softens. Then you pull it apart with even pressure and the plastic stretches. This gives anything from long hair like wisps to rods, depending on how you pull.
It is kinda artsy and takes some practice, but sprue is cheap and there is plenty to practice with in every kit! Oh, yeah, it does make great aerials, antennas and so on.