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How can I add panel lines to a scale model?

A lot of modellers like to add detail to their models. One of the things you can do to add realism to your model is to accentuate its panel lines. Panel lines are the gaps or joins between the panels that make up the outer shell of a vehicle, locomotive, aeroplane, ship or anything else you are modelling that has its shell made up from panels. Usually, models will have these panel lines moulded into them.
Over time in real life, the panel lines (or shut lines if referring to the gap between different features such as a door and bodywork) will become more evident due to the build-up of dirt and grime or because of paint wear. To successfully mimic this on your model you will need to accentuate your panel lines. This simply means that you need a way to make them stand out.
The best time to do this is during the initial painting of the model. After the primer has been applied you can use a tool called a line engraver or an old blunt modelling knife to slightly deepen and widen the model's panel lines. This should be done gently remembering that you are not trying to calve out great canyons but merely give the panel line a little emphasis.
Once this is done you can use a wash to darken the panel line. A wash is a heavily thinned down application of paint. You can thin acrylic paints down using plain water, enamels with a thinner or you can buy specially formulated washes from your local model shop.
The trick is (as with any weathering) to not overdo it. Many instinctively use a black wash for panel lines but that would be overkill. You are best using a thinned down grey or even better a darker version of the main colour of your model. Don't worry if it gets a little messy when applying the wash, any over-spill can be wiped away with any remaining residue being covered when you apply the final layers of paint to your model.
When it is time to paint your model with the topcoat, it is best to use lots of very thin layers. This will not only provide a much better finish to the model but will ultimately allow any detail to show through including the completed panel lines.
Accentuating panel lines on a model that has already been painted is pretty much the same process, however, it would be wise to use an even thinner wash and in this instance, it would be advisable to use acrylic paint so you can immediately remove any over-spill.
Accentuating panel lines can make a model look more realistic, but, always remember that you can go too far with it and end up with a rather animated looking model. It is always best to study some photographs of the prototype to see just how visible the panel lines were in real life. The chances are that a battered old WW2 fighter plane fresh from battle will have a more lived-in appearance than a British Airways 747. Likewise with railway rolling stock, trucks, for example, tend to be grimier than front line coaches. So you should always let your detailing tell the story, but don't let it be the story.
Posted in: Kit building, Painting

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