Archives: Tips
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Modeling uses for champagne corks
The wire cage that held the cork in place can be used as a painting jig for metal cables or chains. After unraveling it, bend it into a bow with hooks at the ends. Slip the chain or cable over the hooks. The wire retains a degree of spring so that as it straightens out,…
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You might already own small decal numbers
When I need tiny digits for things such as serial numbers, I cut out the little placement numbers on decal sheets that identify where markings should be placed on the model.
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Add accurate rivets
Want to add rivets with ease? First, print out aircraft blueprints from the internet. Then use photo-editing software to scale the drawings to the size of your model. Cut the drawings out and stick them on the model with masking tape.
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Create camouflage pattern with slight overspray
The camouflage pattern on the Hawker Hunter is a defined pattern with a slight amount of overspray at the edges. To replicate this, I first enlarge the kit painting diagram to the full size of the model. I then trace the outlines onto a piece of (ancient) frisket film and adhere it over the base…
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Paint road wheels using hairspray
I used to spend a lot of time painting road wheels for armored vehicles that had separate tires, as found on most Allied and early World War II German armor. Now with my new system, once my primer coat is dry the entire process takes less than five minutes. You can use Pledge FloorCare Multi-Surface…
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French press cleaner
Cleaning your airbrush can be messy if you just pour solvent over the dismantled parts and try to clean them with rags; and you run the risk of losing the tiniest parts this way. For years I have been using a French press coffee maker to safely submerge small airbrush parts in lacquer thinner.
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Use an eraser guide as a template
I recently found a neat template at one of the big craft stores. It is actually an eraser guide, but I found it works great for putting lines on roadways with a colored marker.
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Tracks from window screens
Broken or misplaced 1/72 scale tank tracks? Me too! I was missing track for a German SdKfz half-track armored fighting vehicle and decided to construct my own. First, I made a track template from cardboard and used it to cut some metal window screening, 1. I then cleaned the screen with isopropyl alcohol before priming…
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How to paint your plane’s spinner
A good solution for painting a spinner or the nose of an airplane is to use a drafting circle template.
