Painting cockpit detail

I noticed this topic the other day and felt I should reply because I'm doing cockpit work myself on a 1/48 Monogram F-18C. One thing is to try notto paint every single litle knob, button and switch- you'll drive yourself nuts trying to. What I do is paint the base color of the cockpit first (whatever it may be- zinc chromate, gray, etc.). Then, I use a wide flat tipped brush to paint the side consoles which are generally straight and flat. After they are completely dry the fun begins. Using a good reference with color pictures (books in the Detail & Scale and Walkaround series are a good choice) pick out the main features to be painted. Go for the larger details that will be more noticable and easier to paint. If you go with a fine tipped brush and pick up various details with yellow, red, and white, It should give you the effect you want. Remember, even if you get a different color paint on your black side console you can always go back and touch up! After all the finer details are done, I go back and drybrush with silver. The heavier the drybrush, the more wear you show. Sometimes I even add a black wash to help represent depth. After I get it all done I spray a coat of Testor's dullcoat on to potect the finish. These are just the basic rules I use for painting cockpits. I'm sorry I don't have a digital camera or scanner otherwise I'd include some pics. Hope this helps!

So far everyone has provided excellent ideas. I recently experimented by using decals supplied by the mfg. to do an Apache cockpit. After applying the decals I used decal set to make them snuggle down. Next, I applied a black wash and then covered them in acrylic flat. Well, I got lucky, they look fantastic. In fact I have already fooled several people who wanted to know how I painted them! I like to use Crystal Clear for lenses. It seems to work real well. If you want a great site on cockpits, check this out -
http://gra.midco.net/mlgould Fantastic site!


Ed
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Thank you for the website! it is fantastic!! I recommend it to everyone!!

Brian

Brian,
So far everyone has provided excellent ideas. I recently experimented by using decals supplied by the mfg. to do an Apache cockpit. After applying the decals I used decal set to make them snuggle down. Next, I applied a black wash and then covered them in acrylic flat. Well, I got lucky, they look fantastic. In fact I have already fooled several people who wanted to know how I painted them! I like to use Crystal Clear for lenses. It seems to work real well. If you want a great site on cockpits, check this out -
http://gra.midco.net/mlgould Fantastic site!

Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by markuz226 Originally posted by theinquisitor321 Pardon my stupidity, but when I try using a brush with enemals (testors) it dosen't show up. I know this is a very dumb question, but any tips on enemels will be appreciated. Brian Liu What do you mean it doesn't show up? The paint is very faint and it just, well, dosen't show up! Reply Edit markuz226 Member since January 2003 From: Everett Posted by markuz226 on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 11:23 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by theinquisitor321 Pardon my stupidity, but when I try using a brush with enemals (testors) it dosen't show up. I know this is a very dumb question, but any tips on enemels will be appreciated. Brian Liu What do you mean it doesn't show up? Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 5:46 PM Originally posted by BigMan Hi Brian, I use enamels for detailing. Enamels dont 'hurt' laquer so if ever I'm not satisfied with my detailing, I simply 'erase' the enamel paint using brush dipped in enamel thinner, then do it again. Enjoy! jim Pardon my stupidity, but when I try using a brush with enemals (testors) it dosen't show up. I know this is a very dumb question, but any tips on enemels will be appreciated. Brian Liu Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 8:55 AM Hi Brian, I just want to add to the tips already given. Always maintain the consistency of the paint that you pick up on your brush. Paint that is too thin will just run into the cockpit details and not to the detail you want to paint [:0]. If the paint is too thick, the paint will not flow freely to the detail and the finish will be a bit rough . I use enamel paints in detailing and I always have a small dish of enamel thinner at the side when painting so that if the paint start to dry up on the brush, i dip the brush on the thinner to maintain the consistency. Also, you may consider using a different type of paint for the base color then use enamel for detailing. I airbrush Gunze Laquer as base color then use enamels for detailing. Enamels dont 'hurt' laquer so if ever I'm not satisfied with my detailing, I simply 'erase' the enamel paint using brush dipped in enamel thinner, then do it again. For cockpit photos, the web is a very good source. Just type the name of the aircraft your building on your search engine, and more often than not, you can find walkaround photos that include the cockpit which you can download and print. And as eagle334 has said, you'll need not only patience, but tons of it! So take it easy. It may be frustrating at first, but practise makes perfect! Enjoy! jim Reply Edit Jeff Herne Member since January 2003 Posted by Jeff Herne on Monday, January 26, 2004 11:13 PM Aside from airshow cockpit photos, it depends entirely on what you're building...there are some detail in scale books that are helpful. I don't do modern jets, so...most of my cockpit details are WW2 Luftwaffe. Jeff Herne Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 10:07 PM Is there any tips where I can find the layout of the different cockpits in color? I know that i'm being a neat freak, but painting the 'eject' handle pink rather than yellow and black is not very accurate. I was hoping for any pics of cockpits with all the nobs and stuff. Hope i'm not causing too much trouble! Brian Liu Reply Edit markuz226 Member since January 2003 From: Everett Posted by markuz226 on Monday, January 26, 2004 2:53 PM I use a tooth pick. i also make the knobs on the tip of handles (simulated by fine wire) by putting several layers on the TIP of the handle. Then, I would part upside down to let the paint accumulate and bead at the tip. It usually doesn't work on the first coat but two or three coats are usually necessary for the scale-look size. For the MFD screens, I use Tamiya dark green and then a thin coat of future float to simulate glass. Reply Jeff Herne Member since January 2003 Posted by Jeff Herne on Monday, January 26, 2004 12:47 PM When I do an instrument panel, I paint the base color first, then a black wash around the faces of the instruments. I'll drybursh some Metallizer exhaust around the edges to give a semi-worn look. For the gauges themselves, I drybrush with faces with a 000 brush rather than trying to paint the individual dots and lines. If an instrument face requires color, I'll typically use a colored drafting pen with a .13 tip, Once all that's done, add a drop of Future or other clear gloss to the instrument face. This works effectively in scales up to 1/32, once you get any bigger than that, you can start reading the instrument panel. At that point, I typically use decals or film. Best, Jeff Herne PS: When painting little details, hold your breath while you paint, just like shooting a rifle. Hold your breath, fire, then exhale. It reduces motion. Just don't forget to breathe... Reply jimz66 Member since December 2002 From: Winsted CT Posted by jimz66 on Monday, January 26, 2004 11:12 AM 321 check out this link this is how I am going to paint mine from now on. http://www.kitparade.com/features01/f14cockpitdwa_2.htm Phantoms rule the skies!!! Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 10:22 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by theinquisitor321 Any tips on what color the MDF (I think its called that) should be? Should i add some gloss to it as it is a screen? THanks for all the help Brian. MFD - "Multi-Function Display" I paint them usually with tamiya's "clear green." These screens often have a green tint to them even when off (how they always are on the ground (take note all you people putting the map display decals on Academy's Hornet). The clear green leaves a nice dark green glass look to the panel. Looks fairly realistic. Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 10:19 AM Any tips on what color the MDF (I think its called that) should be? Should i add some gloss to it as it is a screen? THanks for all the help Brian. Reply Edit nmayhew Member since July 2003 From: Kent, England Posted by nmayhew on Monday, January 26, 2004 9:04 AM theinquisitor321 hi those guys pretty much hit the nail on the head i think! welcome to the forums by the way!! regards, nick Kind regards, Nicholas Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 8:23 AM I paint detail under magnification, with strong light, with a #000 brush. As eagle says, use little paint & go slowly. Supporting your elbows on the workbench & keeping your palms together near the wrists will add stability. For cleaning up around the areas of painted detail, I use a dark wash. If you're unfamiliar with the process of applying a wash, info is available in the "Techniques" section. Hope this has been of help to you, and welcome to the world of aircraft modeling ! Reply Edit eagle334 Member since March 2003 From: plopped down in front of this computer. Posted by eagle334 on Monday, January 26, 2004 8:11 AM All I can say is a really fine brush, not much paint, and a ton of patience. You can't be in a hurry and do a good job. I find what works best is to use as little paint as you can and just lightly brush the highlights, almost like drybrushing, and build up the color slowly. If you use too much paint at the start it just runs all over and makes a big mess. I know, I've made my share of big messes. Wayners Go Eagles! 334th Fighter Squadron Me and my F-4E <script language="javascript" src="http://www.airfighters.com/phgid_183.js" type="text/javascript"></script> Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Painting cockpit detail Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 7:43 AM Hello! I have recently started aircraft modeling and need help. How do you paint the small nobs and screens in the cockpit? My tries just makes the details worse. Any tips for painting cockpit details would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 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