Need tips on Interior dash detailing, gauge highlights?

[thejunkman]

Here is what I am working on I have a build thread over in the Model Trucks section. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101284

I want to add the details on the dash gauges like the indicator needles and such. Not sure what is the best tool, or way to approach putting some white on the raised details inside the gauges. I mean you will hardly be able to see them once assembled, however I wondered if there are some tips to applying some white highlights to the gauges. Thoughts?? I have a pin vise and that is the only thing I can think of but even at 1/16th scale it seems like using an ax to cut a 2x4

Because this dash will be mimicking a "used" or "in service" truck I will be dusting/weathering the dash. This is just the initial details.

Edited April 25, 2015 by thejunkman

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Drybrushing works quite well for gauges. Get some white paint, a brush, and a dash to practice on. Put a little paint on the brush, and wipe it on a paper towel until you can't see any on it, then feather the brush over the gauge faces. The effect will be light at first, but you can keep doing it to get all the details.

Another way to do it would be to get some paint on the brush, and hold it so only the side of the brush paints the raised details. Small brushes are obviously best (and usually necessary) for this. Practice on a dash before using the kit one if you're shaky.

As for the needles, use a small brush. Once again, if you feel kinda worried on how it'll look, practice! Can't expect to do it right the first time, and practice always helps.

[StevenGuthmiller]

One technique that I use on occasion is to apply a white lacquer to the gauge faces first & then put a wash of black acrylic over it. Then if the detail is pronounced enough, you can lightly wipe the black off of the numbers with a tooth pick or a fine tipped swab with a little water or thinner on it depending on the paint used for the wash, exposing the white. A lot like doing scripts on a body by foiling under the paint.

Steve

[Jeff Johnston]

I use a very sharp white or silver pencil to highlight the numbers. Then I shave down a toothpick to a teeny point, and use a tiny dot of chevy engine red on the toothpick end to make the needles.

[935k3]

Sharpened tooth pick and use acrylic paint because mistakes can we wiped off with a damp Q-tip

[cobraman]

I use a sharpened toothpick and then coat with Kristal Klear to give the look of a glass lens.

[highway]

Jon, I looked at your build thread and noticed that there are a mix of white and black molded parts, and since I haven't gotten this reissue (even though I had the blue Aerodyne as a kid) and figure the dash was still molded in the black plastic, was color was it molded? All the previous suggestions are great if it was in the black, but if by chance it was on the white sprue, you could take a very fine tipped sanding stick and carefully sand the paint from the gauge numbers just enough to where the white starts showing through.

Another variation of Jeff's tip, you could get a very fine point Sharpie and follow his tip. Craft stores like Michael's offer various styles of drawing pens, pencils, and markers that I have see many use to do just as Jeff suggested. I don't know if they still make them or not, but I have red, white, and silver Sharpie fine point paint markers that I think I bought at Michael's for fine detailing purposes. That is what I used on this shifter to replicate a 13 or 18 speed splitter valve.

I also used it on the steering column to replicate the four way flasher pull switch.

[thejunkman]

Thanks for all the tips! I used a combination of dry brush and toothpick. The dash is molded in white so I could have sanded but I didn't see that tip until I had it done. No worries I am happy with it for my first attempt at a build.

Be kind, I am a first timer at this. Truth be told I kinda made this thread to get some encouragment to go the extra mile and detail the gauge faces. I might do the lacquer trick to make it look like glass but I don't want too much shine in there. It is a used truck.

Edited April 25, 2015 by thejunkman

[highway]

The dash is molded in white so I could have sanded but I didn't see that tip until I had it done.

Well, I was a little late getting to the party!!

[StevenGuthmiller]

Looks like a great job to me!

Steve

[thejunkman]

Looks like a great job to me!

Steve

Just for reference here is the "real" dash. Now it is not normally this dirty. Since this truck almost exclusively gets driven on dirt roads in the summer after a season of use with the windows down it gets pretty dirty. Normally it is cleaner than this.

[Ben]

A drop of two part epoxy or future floor polish in each gauge will simulate the "glass" lens.