Painting technique for starship panels/ etching

[Ikariya]

Hi all, mods can move this if its in the wrong forum.

I was looking through here a long time ago at the Ent-D builds and remember that the largest one used a special spraypaint + pinstriping technique to make all the panels and ultra small details where a decal was put down, then pulled up with paint later, leaving a detail. I would like to know how this works and if it would be a good candidate to use for indenting lettering say on a helmet? Is it a special build up paint and/or do I still have to cut out the decals each time and restick the decals after every paint layer?

Thanks~

 

[vaderman1701]

Essentially the technique is using pinstripe tape of 3M painters tape and cut the pattern the way you need it and lay it on the model. Then you use Duplicolor High Build Primer that you can get at any auto pars store or Wal-Mart. Spray a layer on and let it dry. They using a fine grit sandpaper, sand the primer. repeat this process several more times (at least 3-4). Once finished, use x-acto knife to carefully pull up the tape corner and then use tweezers to pull the rest up. Wet sand the area one more time and you will have your panel line.

Scott

 

[Ikariya]

I see how it works now! So I'm guessing to get things easy to find, you'd put a little tail sticking up (for each line etc) from where you want to begin peeling it up right?

 

[vaderman1701]

When you sand you should still be able to see the tape that you laid down, even though it will have some layers of primer on it as well. It will be higher. When you are ready to peel then yes, use the x-acto to pull up a little corner and then use tweezers to pull the rest off.

Here is an example.

Scott