Magnetic Panel Line Accent

[NOBLNG]

Has anyone had this happen? I have scribed some panel lines deeper on a model. When I go to put the black Tamiya panel line accent to it, the accent seems to be attracted to the plastic and "jumps" off the brush about 1/8" before I can touch the panel line, and gets all over the place. Static electricity is no doubt to blame, but how do I prevent it???

[Snake45]

Your problem is easily solved. Put your black paint in your scribed-out panel lines BEFORE primer or paint. Wipe away any "magnetic splatter" with rubbing alcohol while still wet. Your panel lines will look more realistic doing it this way, too. 

[NOBLNG]

This is bare plastic I am working on. So...no way to easily prevent the "magnetism"? I have had it happen before, and just sanded the area with #3000 for cleanup. I will try the alcohol next time.

Edited April 8, 2019 by NOBLNG

[BigTallDad]

Wipe the plastic down with a used dryer sheet

[John Pol]

if you mix mineral spirits with the panel liner it will run down the  door line alot better

[peteski]

Static electricity can be neutralized by a negative ion generator.  Some hair dryers have one of those built in, or you can buy ones built into a small fan (used to neutralize static electricity on electronic rework benches).  Placing the plastic body in the air stream full of negative ions should neutralized the static charge. Or wait until Summer when the humidity in the air naturally dissipates the static.

[NOBLNG]

4 hours ago, BigTallDad said:

Wipe the plastic down with a used dryer sheet

Thanks Ray, that suggestion seems to work!

[Tommy124]

18 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Has anyone had this happen? I have scribed some panel lines deeper on a model. When I go to put the black Tamiya panel line accent to it, the accent seems to be attracted to the plastic and "jumps" off the brush about 1/8" before I can touch the panel line, and gets all over the place. Static electricity is no doubt to blame, but how do I prevent it???

I had this happen recently with Tamiya clear red paint which I was about to paint onto the rear sidemarkers of my 2015 Mustang. The paint practically "flew" off the brush landing onto the body as I was approaching it. It was only very tiny particles but it was odd. But the again, the whole modell seems to behave like a magnet. Before that I used Testors Wet Look clear coat and polished it with cotton wool and all the time (even after finishing the polishing) those cotton wool particles would be attracted to the model. 

[BigTallDad]

12 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Thanks Ray, that suggestion seems to work!

Excellent! That's also a very inexpensive solution as well. Just remember to use a used dryer sheet; a fresh sheet can leave a residue behind.

[89AKurt]

I've had this phenomena happen too.  In my case it was applying superglue, it arced out and laid down a nice permanent hair line.   I think polishing the plastic body builds up a static charge.  It also depends what you are wearing, polyester clothes, have you ever rubbed clothing really fast at night to see the little lightning bolts?  Are you sitting on carpet?  Shoes instead of barefoot?  Environment is very important.

[Brutalform]

I’ve had this happen TOO MANY times. 

Edited April 10, 2019 by Brutalform

[gotnitro?]

On 4/9/2019 at 9:49 AM, BigTallDad said:

Excellent! That's also a very inexpensive solution as well. Just remember to use a used dryer sheet; a fresh sheet can leave a residue behind.

Good tip..one the main ingredients in bounce dryer sheets is....beef fat..Google it  That's nasty residue lol

Edited April 10, 2019 by gotnitro?

[peteski]

Dryer sheets are impregnated with static-dissipative substance which they deposit on the clothes being dried. I suspect some of it is leftover on the used up sheet - that is why it works on models.