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How to best scribe panel lines?


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I am returning to the hobby after a 25+ year hiatus.

I have a lot to learn.

Somewhere on the net, maybe here, I saw a tip about how a modeler should scribe the factory panel lines for more realism. These lines are around the fenders and the trunk.

How is this best accomplished? Use an X-acto knife? Should I use the back side of the blade, and just start pulling it along the lines?

How deep should I go with the scribed lines?

This body is pretty thick...the AMT 1:16 Mustang.

Thank you in advance!!!!!!! I appreciate your help!!!! I'm hoping this is my best build ever...

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The Exacto knife edge is pretty good for starting out. Use a blade with a broken tip, and use the dull back side, gently pull along the panel line to establish a pattern.On a 1/25 scale model it takes me about 3 to 4 passes on a 1/16 probably double that.

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The Exacto knife edge is pretty good for starting out. Use a blade with a broken tip, and use the dull back side, gently pull along the panel line to establish a pattern.On a 1/25 scale model it takes me about 3 to 4 passes on a 1/16 probably double that.

Thats what I do, it works very well

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I use a razor saw to deepen my panel lines. You get a much finer,straighter cleaner line with a razor saw than you will with an Xacto blade. A razor saw also won't jump outside of the lines or veer off and make wide spots in the lines. The only time I use an Xacto blade is on tight round corners and then, I use a new one or one that still has a sharp tip. I scribe my lines until they are almost through.

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I have a double ended scriber that was made by Squadron years ago (the only one I can find now are single ended). Looks like a dental pick/ scriber (probably is). The one side has been filed to a narrower, sharper for trying to keep line narrow and the other is as shipped. The gives me options depending on what I am working on. I have also used a razor saw succesfully as well as the back side of a #11 blade. Again with the blade I give it a few swipes on the backside at about a 45* angle with a flat file to narrow it just a touch. I have had issues in the past where scribing has lead to panel lines that looked like they would be about .5" in 1/25th scale, so I narrow the tools to give a finer line. On a 1/16th scale that shouldn't be much issue though

Of note... go slow and light. I have never not been able to scribe panel lines with out having at least one jump out the groove that I have had to fill. The lightness of hand mitigates the severity of the opps make the repair much easier.

Edited by Blown03SVT
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