Fine point sharpie for detailing

[mynameisdannyowens]

Has anyone tried using a fine point sharpie or similar permanent marker pen for detailing the window 'rubbers' on lean shells?

If so do you do it inside prior to painting or outside afterwards?

[mynameisdannyowens]

(Lexan - not 'lean' shells!

Phones and predictive text strike again!)

[GTodd]

NO, get a paint marker, worked great on mounty!

[Truck Norris]

The ink isn't really thick enough on its own, but it works great to touch up bleeds / wonky lines:

A better bet might be to mask and then spray on the outside. I've not done window frames this way but I've just done the black front lip on a WRC Impreza and it worked well - gives a nice semi gloss look.

[bjorklo]

I used a permanent marker, to make most of the black details on this one. I works very well. I did it on the outside of the body.

[speedy_w_beans]

For window frames I've used black vinyl electrical tape in the past. Peel some from the roll, let it retract to its original length FIRST, then apply it around the window frames. Press it to conform with the lines in the shell, and use a hobby knife to gently and smoothly cut along the lines. Then peel up the excess. You end up with a matte rubber appearance that looks a lot like real rubber trim!

[emory70]

I've used Sharpies over the years. They're OK.

Con: not really black, more like a funky purple

Pro: can clean it off with rubbing alcohol if you mess up

[Falcon#5]

For window frames I've used black vinyl electrical tape in the past. Peel some from the roll, let it retract to its original length FIRST, then apply it around the window frames. Press it to conform with the lines in the shell, and use a hobby knife to gently and smoothly cut along the lines. Then peel up the excess. You end up with a matte rubber appearance that looks a lot like real rubber trim!

Sounds very interesting, do you have any pics of your work?

[Green Meanie]

Inspired by the same Technique bjorklo used

[94eg!]

Sharpies (and all typical pens & markers) are transparent. The only truely opaque black marker I've seen was in a printing class. Perhaps it could be found in a photography store (cause printing and photography are similar).

The best way to do black window trim is to apply a layer of black spray paint as your final backing layer. Before you do so, trim your window masks with an xacto (scalpel) and peel the edges off. The black is fine to back even white as your chassis is dark underneath anyways. It also prevents light colors like white from looking semi transparent.

Some of my Hand Trimmed in-place window masks: