Enterprise refit 1/350 base help

[Ashb1502]

Hello,

I have been building the USS Enterprise 1/350 refit now and have gotten to painting the stand base. I am looking to do it like the dry dock so all bronze with the black inserts to simulate the gaps in the lattice work the filming model had.
The problem I've got is, I can't see to get the painting any good. I've tried free hand painting the black parts around the frames, comes out poor quality. Masking them seemed to tricky. Any advice?

Below is am image showing the look of the stand I would like to do.

 

[modelerdave]

Hello,

I have been building the USS Enterprise 1/350 refit now and have gotten to painting the stand base. I am looking to do it like the dry dock so all bronze with the black inserts to simulate the gaps in the lattice work the filming model had.
The problem I've got is, I can't see to get the painting any good. I've tried free hand painting the black parts around the frames, comes out poor quality. Masking them seemed to tricky. Any advice?

Below is am image showing the look of the stand I would like to do.

View attachment 1861341

Not sure how far along you are with the painting of the base, but if I wanted this look, I would:

1. Paint the entire base black
2. Cover the entirety of the recessed sections with tape and then use a very sharp X-acto blade to cut out the cross braces and the vertical lights and their frames.
3. In other words, don't try to mask the raised parts, because that will be tricky. Mask the black areas. As I said, cutting gently around the edges should give you a nice clean look.
4. Once that's done, paint the rest of the base as you want and only remove the tape when it's finished.

 

[modelerdave]

And I would airbrush or rattle can as much as you can for a smoother finish.

 

[Millenniumf]

I would offer the same advice, myself. It's how I mask and paint TIE Fighter wings because it's very easy to paint recessed areas like this. I would add, to help you see where to cut, take a popsicle stick or other stick of wood and sand a blunt edge to it, then use that to burnish the masking tape into the crevices in order to see where to cut. You will need to make sure the tape isn't stuck to the edges yet, so that there's enough slack in it to get it into the very corners of the area you want to mask.

 

[pengbuzz]

...

 

[Millenniumf]

I would add in to use scotch tape for a cleaner edge (less bleed-under than masking tape).

I find that Scotch tape can leave residue. I've never personally had an issue with edge bleed when I use an eXacto knife, but if you are concerned about it then the best advice I've ever heard is to spray a coat of clear on the area you want to paint, let that dry, and then give it a pass with the color you wish to paint. If any of the clear bleeds under, it won't show up on the underlying paint job and will end up sealing any leaks under the masking tape after it dries.

 

[pengbuzz]

...

 

[modelerdave]

I can't say I'm a fan of Scotch tape. The adhesive is stronger than masking tape and if you don't really de-tack it, you run a greater risk of pulling up your paint. With masking tape you can use a toothpick to smooth down the edges so you don't get bleed. Use an airbrush and don't flood the model with paint, and also paint direct down on the edge or angled slightly away from the edge, and you'll be fine.

 

[Rahn420]

When it comes to masking tape, I cut a new clean edge with a knife. I don't use the raw edge.

 

[Ashb1502]

Thanks for all the tips. Before reading this I did manage to find a way of doing it.
Black permanent marker pens. I carefully coloured in the areas, then a coat of matte clear, followed by more colouring in and abother matte coat to blend it together and get rid of any ink lines.

 

[pengbuzz]

...

 

[Millenniumf]

Thanks for all the tips. Before reading this I did manage to find a way of doing it.
Black permanent marker pens. I carefully coloured in the areas, then a coat of matte clear, followed by more colouring in and abother matte coat to blend it together and get rid of any ink lines.

Not a bad result! If you want to take care of the last of the unpainted surfaces, might I suggest giving the black parts a wash in black? Just mix some black pant with a liberal amount of thinner and then let it run along the inner edges. It'll sink down into the corners and help neaten up the paint job, and if the first coat isn't enough to cover the unpainted areas completely then just apply it a few more times till it's gone.

 

[Ashb1502]

The final look

 

[Millenniumf]

Nice result!!

 

[modelerdave]

I love it! Great work!