Anyone have suggestions on how to create panel lines on Monokote? I wouldn't mind trying it out on my Modeltech P-47. The Sharpie permanent markers rub off. I don't want to use trim tape because my experience with trim tape around canopies is that the adhesive eventually gums up due to the glow fuel, and it falls off. And I am not interested in spraying my whole plane with clear after either the Sharpie or trim tape application. I want to keep the plane light. Looking for ideas on other approaches! OWorst case is I don't add any panel lines. It's my first warbird and I am just fooling around, and loving it. Thanks. Jon

Plane in progress:

I have playing around with the idea of painting panel lines on my TF P-51 ARF with an airbrush. Pactra makes a paint for R/C car bodys that should be more durable than the enamel and more fuel resistant. What I am envisioning is to use masking tape to mark out the line and spray a light line giving a sharp line on one side blending to a fogged edge like a shadow. I am still in the trial and error phase and I have to admit that I am not good at air brushing yet. Also I plan on using a grey on the silver ind a darker grey on the OD green. I think doors, eng access, panels, ect. could be doon with two pieces of tape close together and painting in between. ????

I can only recommend the sharpie and clearcote. This is how it might look.

Mike

A fine line sharpie works great. Just use a little light dusting of clear coat for the first one so the ink doesn't run and then hit it again. It works great.


jeff

How much weight did the clearcoating add to the plane? Which clearcoat did you use? And does it really stick or does it start to flake or peel off from the Monokote in time? Thanks. Jon

I would not be that worried about weight. Mine has a .61 and flies great. As far as flaking, I'm not sure. I only have about 15 flights on this plane, but so far so good. I used Top Flite Lustre Cote. Just spray lightly and try not to glob it on. If your garage is an icebox like mine right now, I would wait until it warms up a little. The paint will not cure properly and you will have problems later.

Mike

Look for these, I like the S, and F tips, I am not positive but I think these people make the topflight panel line pen. Although the ink sticks about as good to anything as is possible, I would let it dry at least a day or two before clearing over it, and don't get it to wet with the clear when you do, I have had bad luck when I rush it or get it to wet,,line can run or get fuzzy, Of course all normal rules pertain as to making sure everything is clean.
They used to make these in more colors I think..because i used to be able to buy some different browns and greys, and greens...but things change. Practice on scrap and I don't think you will be dissapointed

Most good art supply stores carry them, they run in the 4-7 buck range last time I checked.


http://www.staedtler.com/Lumocolor_p...n_gb.Staedtler

Jon,

Two methods I've used with good success are 1) use 1/16 auto pin striping tape from an auto paint store. NOT from AutoZone, O'Reilley's, Walmart, etc. Get the genuine stuff from a paint store and it will set forever after it cures a day or two. Does not need to be clear coated. 2) cut 1/16 strips from a low heat covering like econokote. Use the monokote striping tool and you'll have better luck. Be careful when applying not to use too much heat or you'll stretch the stripes and end up with a curved line. Both methods have worked well for me.

Good luck,
Paul

In order to get depth with sharpies its worth useing two types , experiment on the bottom elevator for best effect .
Example on Gray monocote you may want to try a think black sharpie then a thin siler one over that line -or thin silver first then thin black over that .

Or you get -model master premixed for spray painting "exaust " simply take a air gun and cut about 10 -sheets of 12 by 12 card board stock poster board .
Line your sheet up where you want the line , spray with at least 12" from the plane and you will have a sharpe line and on the other side a buff -wing effect line .
Try to keep all the sharpe lines forward and the buffed lines towards the tail as they would be from the wind

Just tried the paint system today. Used two pieces of tape close together to mask the line and sprayed it with a med. grey mix of Pactra R/C car paint. Did the underside of the wing on my TF P-51. I am pleased with the results. Clean the covering first with alcohol. The line is cleaner proof but not raw fuel proof (at least not 15%).

Just want to express my appreciation to those who responded with suggested methods! I think I personally like the idea of autoshop pin striping so that I don't have to clear coat the plane. With the cold, wet winter upon us in Oregon for five months more, I would never be able to spray the plane, and I still don't want to add that weight, however little it might actually be. By the way, I saw another thread where the TF panel pen is suggested for Monokote, however, I found the description on Tower, and a clear coat is recommended to protect it from fuel. So I am going to stop by a local auto body shop and see if they have any black or dark grey pin stripes. Jon

Good job , now if yuo want to try some cool effect , try this on a sheet of wood or paper first then your plane .
Get the model master exaust premixed small bottles .
Put a shape straight piece of poster board down where you want a staight edge give it a light dusting the length of the sheet of poster board , pull it back when your done , you will see a straight edge and what appears to be a wing warn greesed edge. As described above its esy to do and very cool , they start darker near the front end and wear lighter at the back end