Hi ;
I shouldn't get carried away but I did . In part 1 , I said to sand the hull till it was thin and light traveled through it like a window shade . I do apologise .This was for a more audacious build . For those of you who want it simple .
Here's how it's done .When you get the weld lines All off . Do This . Sand down with 600 grit WET or Dry . Wipe clean and then on to the next step . .
Make a work stand . Then if you have a MINI-LEVEL the next step gets done . Make sure the boat is mounted sturdily and level , fore and aft and side to side . Clamp and hold that position .
If you don't have one , we'll make this next tool . Make a marking tool with some LEGOS or a wooden block .This will hold a Number two , well sharpened , pencil . Now starting at the main deck draw lines the full length of the boat . These should be no more that a 1/16 wide ! 1/8 is okay too . The plank size is your call !
When done you will see a fade at the bilge curve .That's okay . Now take the pencil out and mount an X-Acto #11 blade in handle , in the tool , backwards . Gently run it down the length of the hull . Do this about four or five times . Till you see a nice faint clean line . Now turn the knife so the blade is now vertical .
Trace the line again with cutting edge up and then the same with cutting edge down . This will give your line a little taper in the groove . This way , when you paint it won't disappear completely ! You want just a shallow line showing .
Do this to the whole Hull , One plank width at a time . When you reach the Bilge curve , You can stop if you wish . Just blend that part smoothly . If you want that texture to the keel , Take a flex rule and measure the thickness of your planks . And then using a flexible guide , Continue the plank effect to the Keel .
Remember you won't see the full bottom , even on a stand , so it's you decision here. The planks at the bilge curve are slightly wider , so be careful here ! You next need to do this to the deck . I will tell you how in Part Three Model On ! T.B.