Hey guys, just a quick question. What wires should I use to model things such as distributor wires, spark plug wires, or any type of wire? Is it fine to use solder iron and then just paint over it with the right paint?
This is by the way a 1/25 scale car that I’m working on, so I’m guessing the wires would be 0.3-0.6 mm in diameter.
Small diameter solder is perfect for wire, it is flexable, holds shape and I think takes CA glue well. As with any non plactic parts a primer might be required for coverage which simply could be several light coats of color to if possible an actual primer.
Jewelers wire is also very good for the same reasinsa as solder though you might even be able to source thinner wire.
Any wire that you have around will do the job. Fine solder is nice but that can get pricey fast. There are loads of aftermarket sparkplug wires out there but I personally (may be just me) think they look over scale and artificial. I buy aluminum craft wire from the dollar store as it comes in various sizes for better scale, is soft and easy to shape and takes paint well.
My go-to is a six-size lead wire set of the type used by fly-tyers to weight their lures. The assortment goes from .035" down to .010", all pretty tiny sizes useful for all kinds of modeling detail. Like solder, lead wire is easy to shape, and holds its shape well once set. Also attaches with CA, or even white glue if there’s no ‘pull’ on it.
I would suggest shopping around a bit, since prices vary widely. The good news is that one set lasts pretty much forever.
I swear by Lex’s scale modeling ignition wires. They come in a variety of colors and they work well with alot of AM wire looms. Yeah, they cost a little money but they give me the results I’m looking for every time.
Lex’s Scale Modeling Ignition Spark Plug Wire 5 Pack 1/24-25. | eBay
Here’s my Boss 429 in my Maverick that I built a couple of years ago:
Not super accurate in terms of the distributor but nice and cheap
Dupe…
That is a good option to go with. Like you said, it’s not the most accurate but hey…it works.
That reminds me, I almost forgot about MAD distributor caps and wires. The caps come already colored as do the wires…and they’re pretty cheap as well. I picked a couple up last year and they’re pretty decent. No cutting wires and drilling distributor caps and they look great.
Also check out Teds - so much goodness. https://www.tedsmodelingmarketplace.com/
I got my dual magento from there I think
Ted’s has got it ALL going on. I feel like a kid in a candy store in that place!!!
Fly fishing supplies are definitely useful. They have plain lead wire, colors, and tiny colored tubing that lays more like hose than wire.
I’ve ordered from this company:
Hi;
For that I use fine wire peeled from a lamp wire or such, Peeled , Cut, bent, glued and painted.I use fine computer wire (insulated) for hoses and Then heavier brass craft wire for heater and radiator hoses. After painting then using strips of foil for the clamps I consider that as far as necessary to go. Definitely the dual or single Brake syatem cause it is so visible where it’s at!
I get nit picky on my Vettes and Buick Rivieras where I even detail the Condenser and Hosing for the Air Conditioner and such systems using sprue to create the compressor. Same for the Power Steering pump! I use the real fine Insulated computer wire for that. Once painted it looks good.
I use enameled copper (no other insulation othr than the translucent enamel coating). It is sometimes called magnet wire, I use 30 gauge. I can paint it any color I wan the enamel coating takes paint well.
Hey! I forgot about that! That is a great choice too!