Conundrum

Hal Farsed · 21 Mar 2017

OK folks, daft question time, say you were building a fictional (non steam) loco out of Plastikard, and you'd got the body "box" done and were reasonably happy with it but thought it looked a bit boring. Then you thought a few decorative raised stripes (say 0.5mm thick by say 4mm) on the body would look good. THEN..... you thought it might be nice to pick those stripes out in a different colour.

What is the best way to go about that? Stick the stripes on, paint the base colour, then pick out the stripes by hand?

Stick the stripes on, paint the base colour, then pick out the stripes with some sort of paint tape?

Paint the base colour, paint the stripes then stick them on?

Not sure how to proceed.

trammayo · 21 Mar 2017

Hal Farsed said:
OK folks, daft question time, say you were building a fictional (non steam) loco out of Plastikard, and you'd got the body "box" done and were reasonably happy with it but thought it looked a bit boring. Then you thought a few decorative raised stripes (say 0.5mm thick by say 4mm) on the body would look good. THEN..... you thought it might be nice to pick those stripes out in a different colour.

What is the best way to go about that? Stick the stripes on, paint the base colour, then pick out the stripes by hand?

Stick the stripes on, paint the base colour, then pick out the stripes with some sort of paint tape?

Paint the base colour, paint the stripes then stick them on?

Not sure how to proceed.

I would say it is down to how steady a hand you have got when painting!

Masking tapes can be a problem, sometimes you might get a little 'bleed' runing the straight edges.

Why don't you try lining tape? Loads of colours and widths - I used an automotive tape when I re-liveried a diesel loco B unit ....

B on left..

dunnyrail · 21 Mar 2017

Yes I was going to say the Auto Go Faster Lining Tape as well, looks good and if it done with care a perfect finish as Mick has shown on his Superb US job. I have used that methid as well on my Harz Diesel Bashes. The front two have had Auto Lining Tape for the thick line, promps me that I need to do the thin line on the Front Diesel as well. Another round to it job!

Other option of course, you could paint the body then put the raised stripes on as a different colour of Plasticard. But adhering to the paint might be a problem.
JonD

mike · 21 Mar 2017

Tape i think or as surgested ..paint the plastic then glue it on...

Nodrog1826 · 21 Mar 2017

There is also the lining pen option.

http://www.velobitz.co.uk/s-h-o-p/4581825389/lug-lining-pen/8536684

Hal Farsed · 21 Mar 2017

Well thanks very much for the rapid replies chaps. If I can get the tape to work I think its best, considering my less than perfect eyesight and unsteady hands, I think if I freehanded it it would look very poor. OK can can anyone recommend a good tape and where to buy it? Sorry to be a ballacher, but I want to get to the interesting bit where I get to create a birds nest within the loco and release the blue magic smoke.

PhilP · 21 Mar 2017

What colour do you want?

If bright yellow, how about Tamiya masking tape??

trammayo · 21 Mar 2017

Hal Farsed said:
Well thanks very much for the rapid replies chaps. If I can get the tape to work I think its best, considering my less than perfect eyesight and unsteady hands, I think if I freehanded it it would look very poor. OK can can anyone recommend a good tape and where to buy it? Sorry to be a ballacher, but I want to get to the interesting bit where I get to create a birds nest within the loco and release the blue magic smoke.

I couldn't remember - so had to look at my purchases for last year - but this is where I got my black pinstripe stuff from - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIGNS-MIR...hash=item3f563a83ac:m:mFN-5fHOWGcpoK3DQO8Oqag

Size nearest to what you want is 6mm - but it depends on what colour you want.

An alternative might be a sheet (or portion thereof) of coloured self-adesive vinyl...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5m-x-610m...hash=item4ae2894ba9:m:mCbyjXJGwO_jMneXH6PGpnw

and a sharp blade (plus steel straight edge - don't ask why I recommend steel - but I have a few wany edge plastic rulers available) and cut to whatever!

I sealed the tape with spray varnish. It is better applied to a smooth gloss base and then you can dull the whole lot down as part of the sealing process (or keep a gloss finish).

Hal Farsed · 21 Mar 2017

trammayo said:
I couldn't remember - so had to look at my purchases for last year - but this is where I got my black pinstripe stuff from - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIGNS-MIR...hash=item3f563a83ac:m:mFN-5fHOWGcpoK3DQO8Oqag

....SNIP.....

That looks perfect. Thank you!

Zerogee · 21 Mar 2017

Trimline tape, from any good modelshop (real or online)...... you get a good roll with several thicknesses on it, peel off what you want and keep the rest for other projects:

https://www.elitemodelsonline.co.uk/More/Tools-Materials-Fuels/Covering-Materials/Trimline

I've not used this particular supplier as I buy mine in person at my local model shop, but it was just the first one that came up on a quick search; just look for Trimline tape, you'll find lots of people stock it. The thing about getting all the variety of widths on one roll is that if you try one and it doesn't look right, you can simply try the next one thinner or thicker without wasting a complete roll of one size!

Jon.

Hal Farsed · 21 Mar 2017

Zerogee said:
Trimline tape, from any good modelshop (real or online)...... you get a good roll with several thicknesses on it, peel off what you want and keep the rest for other projects:

https://www.elitemodelsonline.co.uk/More/Tools-Materials-Fuels/Covering-Materials/Trimline

I've not used this particular supplier as I buy mine in person at my local model shop, but it was just the first one that came up on a quick search; just look for Trimline tape, you'll find lots of people stock it. The thing about getting all the variety of widths on one roll is that if you try one and it doesn't look right, you can simply try the next one thinner or thicker without wasting a complete roll of one size!

Jon.

OHH I likes that too......but ive ordered the other stuff.... let me see how I get on with that first.....

dunnyrail · 22 Mar 2017

My thicker tape is from Trilogy, probably bought at a Motor Car Parts Shop or even Halfords. I also have Trimline in stock but only Black not sure if they do White or other colours again Motor Parts Shops or Model Shops.
JonD

KeithT · 25 Mar 2017

trammayo said:
I would say it is down to how steady a hand you have got when painting!

Masking tapes can be a problem, sometimes you might get a little 'bleed' runing the straight edges.

Why don't you try lining tape? Loads of colours and widths - I used an automotive tape when I re-liveried a diesel loco B unit ....

B on left..

View attachment 220927

Mick You can avoid "bleed" by using a method I was shown on here.
First, spray your base coat, once dry apply the masking tape then respray the base coat just to seal the edges. Next spray the other finish and when you remove it you should have a perfect crisp edge.
Wirks for me every time.

trammayo · 26 Mar 2017

KeithT said:
Mick You can avoid "bleed" by using a method I was shown on here.
First, spray your base coat, once dry apply the masking tape then respray the base coat just to seal the edges. Next spray the other finish and when you remove it you should have a perfect crisp edge.
Wirks for me every time.

That's useful to know - thanks for posting.

Conundrum

Hal Farsed

D.P. Gumby.

trammayo

Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t

dunnyrail

DOGS, Garden Railways, Steam Trains, Jive Dancing,

mike

Master at annoying..

Nodrog1826

Professional Idiot

Hal Farsed

D.P. Gumby.

PhilP

G Scale, 7/8th's, Electronics

trammayo

Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t

Hal Farsed

D.P. Gumby.

Zerogee

Clencher's Bogleman

Hal Farsed

D.P. Gumby.

dunnyrail

DOGS, Garden Railways, Steam Trains, Jive Dancing,

KeithT

Hillwalking, chickens and - err - garden railways.

trammayo

Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t