Author Topic: Panel Lines (Read 2188 times)

wwwarbird · « **on:** July 18, 2010, 10:25:41 PM »

At some point I'd like to start doing more with panel lines on my models. Here and there, I've used a fine line Sharpie for some small details on a few models with good results as long as you're careful applying the clearcoats afterwards. One of my own examples here is the outline defining the canopy on my Sig Buster. The "aileron" outline in the photo is just 1/16" stripe tape.
I'd really like to see some ways that "The Pros" do their panel lines and what materials they're using. Some photos of techniques and processes would be great.

Thanks in advance!

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2010, 03:13:45 PM »

Wayne,

You do beautiful work.

It is safe to say that most of us use Rapidograph pens. Use some masking tape under the edge of your straight edge or curves so the ink does not run underneath. Some rulers and triangles have relief on the edges for this purpose

James Mills · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2010, 03:46:27 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on July 18, 2010, 10:25:41 PM

At some point I'd like to start doing more with panel lines on my models. Here and there, I've used a fine line Sharpie for some small details on a few models with good results as long as you're careful applying the clearcoats afterwards. One of my own examples here is the outline defining the canopy on my Sig Buster. The "aileron" outline in the photo is just 1/16" stripe tape.
I'd really like to see some ways that "The Pros" do their panel lines and what materials they're using. Some photos of techniques and processes would be great.

Thanks in advance!

You may want to check out some of Windy's videos, he's pretty good with ink pens.

James

wwwarbird · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2010, 09:30:25 PM »

Thanks Tom, I always try to do beautifuller though!

I've heard of and seen rapidiograph pens back in my plastic modeling days, but I've never used one. I'm familiar with and have used the 'ol tape trick on the ruler too. One flexible stainless 12" ruler I've got has a nifty cork back to it about 1/32" thick and set back a hair from the edge, works real slick for some stuff.

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2010, 09:44:41 PM »

I now use the flexible plastic rulers too - the go around leading edge curves etc and make doing lines around fuselage tops etc a real breeze.....

wwwarbird · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2010, 09:55:53 PM »

Yep, got some of them too.

Hey Wynn, you still workin' on that B-25?

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2010, 11:09:05 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on July 20, 2010, 09:55:53 PM

Yep, got some of them too.

Hey Wynn, you still workin' on that B-25?

it got smashed to bits by the movers when I moved to Christchurch a couple of years ago ... I still have most of the wing and tail - so have considered redoing it - but it is a big project and I have a ton of other things to do in the meantime.......however - it is still on my "to do" list...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2010, 11:29:15 PM »

Sorry to hear that Wynn, what a bummer. I'd still really like to see some pics of it sometime, whatever the stage or condition.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2010, 06:47:20 AM »

Wayne,
You can get Rapidograph pens at drafting or arts stores. I also think Office Depot has them.

Ty,
If you want to get tight, try inking a drawing and then doing the Leroy lettering. Recently I started to do some Leroy lettering and wondered how I ever had the patience to do it. I have been spoiled by CAD, it sure is easier to type the dimensioning, notes, etc.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2010, 08:13:56 AM »

Tom, so true. Even after all these years, I still remember Drafting I, my Freshman year in high school. The first couple of weeks was doing nothing but lettering. Never say printing as that cost you several more sheets of lettering.

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2010, 09:28:55 AM »

Leroy! OMG!

That's when I learned to print neatly...free hand

Ward-O

Howard Rush · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2010, 11:35:01 PM »

Drafting Mylar makes nice templates for going around curves such as leading edges. Use striping tape or 1/8" masking tape as a standoff to keep the ink from going under the Mylar.

I used water-soluble ink on my last plane. Mistakes wipe off, and the clearcoat seals it.

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2010, 10:48:59 AM »

I have thought that panel lines shouldn't necessarily be black; but rather just off color of the color underneath.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2010, 04:08:19 PM »

I have an application that needs Red panel lines. Does anyone have experience for this using a rapidograph pen?

wwwarbird · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2010, 09:53:06 PM »

Thanks for the thoughts and great tips guys, let's keep them coming.

Jim makes a great point about the lines not necessarily having to be black. Think about grey panel lines on a white civilian type plane for example, hmmm.

Leester generously sent me a couple copies of Windy's DVD's all about doing the panel line work on his silver and red 2008 Spitfire and I just finished watching them. I've known about them but these are the first Windy videos I've ever watched and they are very enjoyable and informative. It's just like being in Windy's shop, great stuff!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2010, 10:32:28 PM »

Um-Um-Um, I'm not sure. I'm assuming that's what they used to call the standard lettering font to be used when doing or teaching technical drawing. I remember seeing the same type of handwritten font all the time on older drawings. Leroy just might be the only one who really knows though.

louie klein · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2010, 07:07:09 AM »

Leroy Letter's had ingraved templates of different fonts. It had a tool that would follow the template while an ink point would write on the paper. You would line up the template on your T square and ink away! Neet stuff, you would be able to adjust the tool to ink straight up and down or slanted. We would use this mainly on titles and in title blocks for layouts.---LOUIE

wwwarbird · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2010, 08:03:17 AM »

Ohhhh, so that's how everyone got them all to look the same.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2010, 01:54:42 PM »

Not sure I'll ever do another ink line. I inked my FJ4B carrier airplane, it looks great but took 4 days to do what looks like about 20 minutes worth of ink lines. Tried to sell my rapidograph pens after I was finished but nobody wanted them.

Bill Adair · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2010, 03:42:54 PM »

Looking through my old office supplies, I found a new Polygraph pen. As I recall, it had a a small stick on label (long gone) with the pen size on the label.

Anyone know who made these, and where they fall in the quality ratings?

TIA,

Bill

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2010, 07:41:44 PM »

Quote from: Bill Adair on September 08, 2010, 03:42:54 PM

Looking through my old office supplies, I found a new Polygraph pen. As I recall, it had a a small stick on label (long gone) with the pen size on the label.

Anyone know who made these, and where they fall in the quality ratings?

TIA,

Bill

Wouldn't you need a court order to use your Polygraph pen?

Steve

louie klein · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2010, 05:26:13 AM »

Good one Steve!!, You got me early today.----LOUIE

Bill Adair · « **Reply #22 on:** September 10, 2010, 10:33:22 PM »

Steve,

Had to laugh at that one myself.

Not surprisingly, many lie detector sites came up when I Googled "Polygraph ruling pen".

Bill