panel technique

Mike,
"Pre-shading" the panel lines before the topcoat is applied is very effective way of diving depth for the start of the weathering process, but I find that on camo paint schemes, the second color coat can make the pre-shading disappear a little. The darker coat around the panels can be a very subtle weathering technique if used sparingly. Both techniques work very well.
Cheers,
LeeTree

Whaz up renarts,
Here is another way that you can start your pre shading. For me I like to use "scale black" as a primer.
Not only will this aide me in finding flaws,seams and the like but also helps me start the "natural shadowing" effect as well as shading which is what your looking for.
I also tend to do the opposite, instead of going light color(s) to dark I go dark color(s) to light. This process also helps w/ shading and shadowing.
Yes I know this may seem odd but for me I like the method. I guess you could say its more of an artistic side of me as a modeler(thanks Steve, you da man)
Another way to get good effects is how you ratio paint to thinner. The lighter the coats(thinned out) more you have to build on. This also creates "natural shading" and "shadowing".
Hopefully this makes sense in some way or other. If this does not, you can blame Custom's for having me on a 10hr shift(more $$$ to by models though right).
If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at Falcon42177@yahoo.com
Basically in other words EXPERIMENT...!!!!!!!. Try things out for yourself cause you'd be surprised on what you can do....
Flaps up,Mike

this might be complete bunk, but it's what my limited experience with it so far makes me think... i SUSPECT that when I preshade, the black actually gets INTO the panel lines and then since I don't lay the color coats on as thick, I suspect the depth of the panel line remains un-colored, and therefore black (for the record, it's actually "Aircraft Interior Black" which isn't entirely black).

But hey, I may be crazy...