Steadier brush hand?

[70aar]

Hey folks. I'm new to the forum, but after browsing around a little... I love it! I'm wondering if there's any technique to steady my brush hand. I'm finally passing the 'beginner' stage of modeling and I'm starting to build some more realistic looking kits. However, my details (chrome trim, etc...) aren't quite shaping up just yet. Is a steady hand something that just takes years of practice on, or are there any techniques I can try? Here's a couple pics of my latest build, a Revell '70 Dodge Challenger T/A. You'll notice how sloppy the grille, window trim and side marker lights are. And yes... I know I forgot to paint the front turn signals... Ha! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

-Dave

EDIT: Well, the darn thing won't let me post a pic for some reason or another.

Edited October 1, 2010 by 70aar

[Jantrix]

Well for one- pic missing.

For chrome, get some Bare Metal Foil. It'll open whole new worlds to you. If you gotta paint trim, mask around it. To steady your hand, I usuall rest it on the edge of the table.

[Harry P.]

Well for one- pic missing.

For chrome, get some Bare Metal Foil. It'll open whole new worlds to you. If you gotta paint trim, mask around it. To steady your hand, I usuall rest it on the edge of the table.

I agree with Rob. Painting trim is iffy, and on top of it not very realistic, because silver paint just doesn't look like chrome trim. Get some Bare Metal Foil, read the directions, practice on a scrap body... once you get the hang of it you'll never paint chrome trim again.

[Ddms]

Bare Metal Foil, being metal, looks more like metal than paint looks like metal. But sometimes it's hard to get BMF to conform to small, complicated bits like door handles. For those, I use Spaz Stix or Alclad II. Both are available at your local hobby shop or on-line. Be sure to get one of the "official" black undercoats, too. They dry very, very glossy, and that makes parts look "chromey."

[Hattley]

Another suggestion is when possible to mask around an area thus providing a straight line(s). Paint pens and Sharpies work well too. Good luck! Regarding the images all you have to you is copy your Image code off of Photobucket (assuming youve uploaded) and paste it on to the page where youre posting. Ive found no need to use the insert photo link. Just look to see if when youve pasted the code it begins and ends with the "". It took me a few times to get it myself. PM me if you need help.

Edited October 1, 2010 by Hattley

[MikeMc]

Old pinstripers trick...shorten the handle of your brush....It also works with BMF...I wrap a new #11 blade with tape and use it that way....good grip and the edge is right there!!

[Mr. Moparman]

Rest your hand on somthing. If you are painting side trim use Model Master Silver Chrome Trim paint in the little jar.

[sobpinstriping]

I'm a pinstriper and what the others said about resting your hand makes a world of difference, also I usually have a beer or two before starting a project it may sound messed up but it calms my nerves and I can lay down a better line, but that's probably just me......

cheers

mat

[MILD]

I like to brace both my hand holding the brush and hand holding the piece against the table. It stops the shakes.

Similar to shortening the brush, I hold it very very close to the bristles.

[Mike Kucaba]

I'm a pinstriper and what the others said about resting your hand makes a world of difference, also I usually have a beer or two before starting a project it may sound messed up but it calms my nerves and I can lay down a better line, but that's probably just me......

cheers

mat

Hey that's great! My fav is a glass of Chianti or Burgandy and some classical music. Steadies the old hands just fine.

[davyou5]

Many of the comments here are right, BMF (Bare Metal Foil) works wonders, but if you do not have any on hand or can not afford to get any at the moment. Then what I suggest is getting Paint Brushes with tips, then practice on something anything that you can paint on, For example take one brush or another, put some paint on it, and then try some of these brush strokes.

Light:

put the tip of the brush on an object as lightly as you can, and try to make a straight line with the edge of your brush. The less pressure on the brush the better.

Brushes edge:

This is something that I have learned in a job painting homes, door edges etc, though the Brushes were much bigger, put some paint on the tip of a brush that has a ... I am thinking 45 degree angle, and angle the brush so the bristles are as straight as you can get them along an edge. Then brush along the edge of that object. If you have to, start on the outside of the edge of your object then move the paint down toward the edge them follow the stroke down as straight as you can.

Allow the Bristles to bend in the opposite direction were you are painting straight.

My hands shake pretty good too, so some times I have to hold one hand with the other, also the angle of the object in which you are painting also makes the difference, and make sure you have plenty of lighting to see the line in which you are going to paint along and what angle the bristles are at, or with a tipped brush were the one little bristle is going to touch.

The Light brushing techinque really helps with small wires on the Firewall and such things though you do not always have to touch lightly with the tip of the brush, some times I can use the paint left on the brush if it is in the middle of it, but in this case you have tilt the brush as straight as possible.

Even if your hands shake you can still use that to your advantage as well especially painting the small things that you do not want to go over an edge, just allow it to shake ( But not roughly) and dot paint on then see how much you have covered. Hold one hand with the other if you have to, to reduce the shaking alittle.

The best thing to do here if you decide to continue painting Window Seals, and other small details, is to practice what I have told you here, The brush edge and light touching most importantly, and as you progress you will be get better at it. This also takes great concentration and focus, I hope this Helps you, Remember to Practice .

Edited October 4, 2010 by davyou5

[sobpinstriping]

Hey that's great! My fav is a glass of Chianti or Burgandy and some classical music. Steadies the old hands just fine.

Thats funny because I grab a cheap beer and put on some fast punk rock, kinda the opposite end of the spectrum.

cheers

mat

[Guest madazzskilzkustumz]

Learn 2 fix you’re mistakes an U won’t make so many. My dad teach that. ThanksJIMMY!