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PORT and STARBOARD deck seams
I am sure you all have had to deal with this . I have tried many methods over these many years and it was a fledgling modeler who made me remember this trick . It turns out I learned this after about twenty models and then completely forgot it , when not being needed . I take brass wire .047 or slightly larger . I cut it about two inches long .Then I put the wire under the deck at a point where the deck is level on both pieces at the deck surface , and every plank line is straight .Now use the good old modified clothespins (you,ve done that for clamps haven,t you?) Take one of these and clamp the wire to the deck , keeping everything in line . Now , do the other end . Do both sides this way . Now you should have even decks and they should have the plank lines in the right position . Now apply liquid glue to the seam which should be between the clothespins . Set the deck in a flat place and support the bow and stern so the deck is straight horizontally. Let sit for about a half an hour . Come back and squeeze the deck pieces together good and firm.Yes , there will be a little guck (that,s what I call it ) come squeezing up .You only want a fine line of it to show .Let dry overnight . When you go back to it the next day you can trim of the melted plastic line (guck)and then sand it lightly , with a 320 sanding stick , very gently,(we don,t want to remove those plank lines) sand the surface till the line disappears !. You then need to put 1/8" x 1/16" plastic strip and glue it under the deck next to where you had the wire only , inside (toward the center ) Clamp it and let it dry.The next day take your X-ACTO knife (a fresh number 11 blade ) and very gently score through the line at every plank location.Do this till they are equal depth .Now take the knife blade and once only run it through the lines with blade backwards ! .Check for burrs and then paint .You will find no seams .On larger models like the 1/200 ARIZONA install the deck pieces after you,ve decided to make it waterline or not . When that decision is made then install the bottom. You will have to locate stand finials at this time . Do you want four or two ? Because of the model,s weight I recommend four . Drill the holes for them and fasten them to the hull bottom . Use brass fender washers on the inside and screw the finials in place . Glue on the bottom .Finish it out as needed .Back to that deck . Your decks have dried for a few days . Now, take a chisel blade and slide it sideways along the seam .Make sure BOTH sides have a chamfer that goes BELOW the depth of the plank line . Add filler till you have a little ridge that goes beyond the chamfer on both sides . Next day ,sand it carefully and you should have no bumps but just a flat spot where plank lines should be .Make those lines as explained (it works for both methods ) Now dust it , check to make sure that , having used both methods you are ready . Paint with your favorite paint and call me in the morning . LOL.LOL. you should have no problems in the future with any deck seams . tankerbuilder P.S. Most of what I do are ships with no wood except trim like caprails . Smooth steel decks .YAY !
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