Panel Lines on a NTM bird

I think preshading would be very effective on a bare-metal aircraft.

What you do is spray the panel lines (or whatever areas you desire) black or a dark color before you lay the color scheme on. That way the dark areas will still show through some after you've painted the model whatever color it should be.

This usually only works with paint schemes that have no dark colors, so bare-metal is a natural for this technique.


Fade to Black...

Hey janus,
Do you mean bringing out or high lighting the panels?.
What type of paint did you use (regular silver/aluminum or metalizer silvers(buffing)).
Any who, once you have applied the decals you can use a few different types of methods for high lighting your panels.
1. "Smudge wash"
2. Pastel chalk
3. #3 or 4 pencil
For me I like to use the "smudge wash" method the best. First off make sure you have a smooth surface(gloss finish) before appling the wash.
I use a mixture of "scale black"(water based) mixed with distilled water(paint to distilled water ratio is up to you).
Take a fine brush and start to apply the wash with in the panel lines. Let the wash sit for about 15 - 20 minutes and using a moistened Q-tip, go back over the treated areas.
This will remove the excess wash leaving the panel lines high lighted.
You can repete this method as often as you like or when you achieve the look you want.

When using the pastel chalk, again make sure the surface is smooth.
Using a fine brush, go over the panel lines or the areas that you want to be high lighted. But this time once you have applied the chalk, go back over the areas w/ a clean brush(wide style) and brush away the excess chalk.

The pencil is one of the probably easier methods but be careful. Make sure the pencil is very sharp and then just basically follow the panels. Dont press hard go easy.
Any of these methods will work but you have to be happy w/ the results and most of all what ever method you use, you have to feel comfortable with it.
If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me at Falcon42177@yahoo.com
Flaps up,Mike