Academy 1/288 Shuttle, Panel Lining

                Okay, so we have finished building out kit here. So what do we think about it? Too plain may be? Then it is time to move to the next step, Panel Lining.  Most model kit, especially airplane, usually has a lot of panel. This is molded in the kit as a slight recess in which can be filled to add mode detail.  Master modeler usually fill the panel with several technic, such as washing, using thin brush, airbrushing and many other.  But since , again, I am a lazy modeler, I use only Permanent Marker, a cheap one.

 

                The marker I Use is from Snowman, OPF, the F is standing for Fine or the smallest of their kind.  I use Black color.  The OPF is great, it can stick to any plastic surface and dry almost instantly, so be careful, if you make mistake, it will take quite some effort to remove it.  Well, how do we remove if we have mistakenly painted the recess?  Simple, just use a pencil eraser.  Simple as that, other method that can be used to clear the OPF ink are alcohol or Caju Puti Oil, (minyak kayu putih).

                Actually the marker, OPF is still way too big for the detailing. It would be best if you have a very smaller pen, such as Rotring, or Steadler, pick the smallest size, I think around 0.01.  their special ink also can attach to plastic and it takes time to dry, so this can give you more opportunity in making mistakes, since you can also immediately erase it.

                So just follow the recess panel line and work in on slowly, painting all the panel line with your marker or pen.  Soon you will see the detail arise.  Several color in the kit also present and since OPF also has several colors, we can fill those colors with the other OPF color, (such as the tip of the External Tank).  you can use the manual provided for coloring and paneling.

                So with all the passion and steady hand you can see the result now.  Next chapter will be on Applying Decal.  I shall post it as soon as it ready.