How best to pick out molded-in brake & fuel lines?...

[john sharisky]

I'm working on the Revell 1970 Ford Torino. The fuel and brake lines are so nicely engraved it seems a shame to leave them in the Tamiya red primer. For whatever reason I've never detailed these before. Is it as simple as dry brushing? I'm thinking a solid color (light gray for example) might be better than a color with metallic bits in it (copper, silver, etc.)? Wide brush - pointed brush? I guess that would be dictated by how close to another component (frame rail, etc.) I want to get?

 

Thanks for any help!

 

John

 

Edited 21 hours ago by john sharisky
'cause i can't spell...

[stitchdup]

i'd try a soft pencil

[DJMar]

25 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

i'd try a soft pencil

This is also my suggestion. A regular #2 pencil will highlight them nicely (especially against that red primer) without too much hassle. If you're feeling adventurous, there are artist pencils that are available in various shades of silver, as well.

The great thing about this technique is that it is easy to remove with a cotton swap and some window cleaner if you don't like it.

[john sharisky]

Great idea - thanks!

 

I forgot I had this set. Metallic Silver and Gold included.

 

John

 

[Shark]

Works good on gauges too

[Trainwreck]

You could always BMF them, I think it would be less frustrating than trying to pick them out with a hard leaded pencil. A softer HB pencil might work a little better but I'd still think about the foil option.

[sidcharles]

the thicker prismacolor pencils are wax based and will even out the color distribution if gone over with a fine brush dampened with paint thinner. i use W&N Sansodor, but there' bunch of different brands including the hardware store kind. trick is to use it sparingly = not slosh it on.  i do not know if the veri-thin pencil leads are of the same composition, but they are harder which may cause you to work harder to get the result needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Winsor-Newton-Sansodor-Odor-Solvent/dp/B0083INYV8?th=1

another way is to mask the lines and drybrush them.

or mask & use a silver sharpie pen. again, different companies make them; also in gold & brass which then can be tempered to the shade you want.

https://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-1829201-Metallic-Permanent-Assorted/dp/B007QNWC3M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PT4XE7VIZMVI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.I5ZlQm1vWXpWhq2W8ZWU6T8i-K6UswZP8VJoaRq4GXp62ncmxujyMAZYHYFdGyaA2ywu-A2VRMlTlHbh-fHIkboL0w87fLZ1pZHLCcabQG6XGst0os8TE5INHy6jiFmDkepfO8H_oJzvTICqW65wkUdeaXYnKUDIEeNygjsyb--16GWMiVLoeugS0g65WkS8cNk3t5NVcAqgGYDgmCl52VKrprnJRhPZYxxi6rZfsGy0YHq6SCkNYkywB1cdFfhcQRk0FhCMLLHqQZJFcF1Uft2VgB1es3_1NgHL1cFoC0k.XTZ--WcNaET_sV8u0qTZ32dkeZvOZeF2IOhlveyY8hQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=sharpie%2Bmetallic%2Bmarkers%2Bbronze&qid=1761353104&sprefix=sharpie%2Bmetallic%2Bm%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-1&th=1

if you intend to add a dark wash to the chassis, it might also enhance you efforts.

Edited 18 hours ago by sidcharles

[Straightliner59]

10 hours ago, stitchdup said:

i'd try a soft pencil

That's how I've been doing that kind of stuff, for the last several years. It's made life much easier! I just bought an assorted box of hardnesses.

[gtx6970]

silver sharpie

[Oldriginal86]

If your looking for them to be highlighted, I’ve taken an exacto knife and scrape off the primer or color to expose the bare plastic or primer underneath.

[Brutalform]

Sometimes a good old toothpick, and some patience will get the job done nicely. Dabbing a toothpick in the color you choose, and tap the excess off, so it doesn’t blob on your work. Also using a water based acrylic works fantastic, because if you do mess up, you can easily clean it up and start over. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Brutalform