Problem with shallow panel lines on model plane

[Indigo1 0]

Hi

I'm new to model plane painting. I have a 1/72 jet fighter which has many very fine and pretty shallow panel lines. 

I've put a primer paint which seems to leave them still visible. Then I paint by brush with model acrylic, which seems not to be too thick- in fact pretty watery, but it seems to cover the lines completely. I've tried doing a wash on the painted areas, and indeed- the thin lines are no longer deeper than the surface, so will not get darker.  They are lost. 

How can I do this? If I remove the paint and do a pre-shading I will just cover the shading with the paint. If the lines aren't deep enough in the original model, I don't see how I can retain them in the final painted model.

I can try using very little paint, but it's very hard to paint well with brush while getting full cover AND not seeing ugly brush strokes because the paint is too dry. And I don't have the option of airbrush at this point.

Any advice? Thanks

[Lee76 638]

Best results unfortunately always come by using the airbrush, the paint goes on much more uniform and thinner. Even with airbrushes the pro builders can still be seen using panel line scoring tools, like the one below. You can drag it along the exiting lines to increase the width/depth. You can also get thick plastic tape to act as a guide to add additional detail scribe lines. I have one of these tools and it’s pretty good, quite easy on existing lines but it’s really hard on trying anything other than guided straight lines, need practice.. There are quite a few you tube tutorials on using these. You can also buy special washes for filling panel lines, you can paint on and wipe off so easier to keep the detail in the cracks. Panel line accent paints/ink washes.

 

 

 

[Indigo1 0]

Thanks a lot, I will look to order this tool, or the one he is using in the video. It can also be used to practice dentistry on the side...  

In the meantime I might try to deepen the grooves with a utility knife or something similar. 

[Nwc100 462]

1 minute ago, Indigo1 said:

Thanks a lot, I will look to order this tool, or the one he is using in the video. It can also be used to practice dentistry on the side...  

In the meantime I might try to deepen the grooves with a utility knife or something similar. 

I've got a brand new unused one you can have, cover the postage and it's yours, I've no idea what I got it for and it's Christmas!

[Indigo1 0]

12 hours ago, Nwc100 said:

I've got a brand new unused one you can have, cover the postage and it's yours, I've no idea what I got it for and it's Christmas!

Thank you very much, pal, that's very kind of you! Unfortunately by the way the post office here works lately I might get it by Christmas of next year...

I've already sharpened a screwdriver tip and using it, and it's doing the job. Thanks again!

[Juggular 5081]

On 12/19/2020 at 5:47 AM, Indigo1 said:

I can try using very little paint, but it's very hard to paint well with brush while getting full cover AND not seeing ugly brush strokes because the paint is too dry. And I don't have the option of airbrush at this point.

When you are using a brush, you'd want to dilute it and make a rather translucent coat.  The first coat will not do much. But after 3 coats, it should give you the color. 

Below is a tank, but you can see how thin he paints.  The way O

wen does it, it's hard to fill panel lines.