The other day I was thinking of an easy way to highlight the guages on the control panel in the pit. While at Hobby Lobby, I got an idea. Now mind you it doesn’t happen often. But I went looking in the art department for supplies and the idea got better. I found a sheet of white graphite paper. Kinda like the old carbon paper that we had to use before computers. Well, I painted the control panel black and waited the 24 hours for it to cure. I then took a small piece of the paper and placed it over the guages and rubbed with a pen. The white was transferred from the paper to the panel. Even the indicators inside the guages became white.
Now someone may have used this and knows about it, but please don’t burst my bubble. I was pleased with the results. Now I have to use Kristal Kleer to simulate the glass faces and we will see how it worked.
No pictures yet as I am still working this plane - a set of “Fraternal Twins” for a showing later this month (I hope).
I will let you know how the Kristal Kleer worked with the graphite paper.
Sometimes crazy ideas work - just ask Lucien. lol
Wow…sounds like a great idea. It’s so easy but sound like it would be so effective. Please let us know how it reacts to the clear my fingers are crossed.
Okay the Kristal Kleer did not wash the effect away. It sealed it in.
Now for the legal part of this :
DISCLAIMER: As this is a new process it may take several attempts to perfect it. PLEASE, DO TRY this at home as I am NOT a Professional and am still attempting to perfect this process.
Guess that about covers it. Oh, I was thinking of how to do this when my biggest fan and critic (my wife) saw the graphite paper by Mona Lisa at Hobby Lobby. We both kinda came up with the final idea. (Can I mention Hobby Lobby and the maker of the graphite paper here???) Just a side note, the graphite paper comes in white, silver and black.
Thanks to all of you who have helped me improve my skills - this is just a way of furthering our “art”.
Hey thanks that is a great idea as ww2boy said it sure will beat dry brushing thanks for sharing you should have submitted it to FSM in their tips dept of magazine and get some bucks 4 it
Submit it anyway. It’s a great idea, Kurt, and I have never heard of it anywhere else before, but it makes perfect sense.
Sounds like you’re onto something there Kurt and I’m going to have to give it a try.
TOM
I’m going to the art & craft store tomorrow anyway so I’m going to pick up some white graphite paper. I’ll give it a whirl and Kurt I won’t hold you responsible for my results.[:D] Thanks again for sharing your tip.
WOW Missle…I have never heard of this before…I …like everyone else used the ‘dry brush’ technique ever since I started actually attempting to paint my gauges.I also think you should submit this to the ‘Tips and Tech’ column of FSM,you deserve the cash and the credit,as you may have single handedly givin me the ability to complete tasks that I thought were insurmountable.All of my aircraft models of 1/32 scale sit boxed up for the very reason that I could not find a way to finish the cockpit to my standards (i.e. ‘readable instruments’).It sounds easy, and most of all…quick…how cool is that!!! I think ALL of us A/C builders should give you a big "THANK YOU !!! ( insert firm handshake and pat on the back here)
Whats cool is that I can ALSO apply this technique to my…(ducking behind computer screen)… CAR models!!!
This realy is most irritating - I have used this for a number of years to trace out patterns etc. and also it is the technique for doing “brass rubbings”. It just never occured to me to do what you have done - Oh to have a brain !!! I do feel that you are fully entitled to feel rather pleasedwith yourself!!! May thanks.