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Wood stains on plastic hulls and decks

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Wood stains on plastic hulls and decks
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 14, 2004 1:37 PM
Do wood stains work on plastic models? I was wondering if these stains work at all on the decks and hulls of plastic sailing ships or if they only mess them up or maybe even ruin them.

My main interest is the hull. So many of the 18th and early 19th century sailing ships (both merchant and warship) had dark hulls with 1 or 2 lighter shaded strips along both sides of the upper hull, mainly along the gunports on the warships. It seems that a light wood stain would look so much better than paint. One idea I have is to use that real thin cloth medical tape along the area where I want the stripe. I would then carefully brush the stain into the tape and when dry, would seal it with semi-gloss. When dry, I would then dullcote the entire hull (I always dullcote my hulls).

I don't have an old model I can try this on so what do you guys think?
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Lacombe, LA.
Posted by Big Jake on Thursday, October 14, 2004 4:52 PM
No they don't stick and never dry. You can do "small parts" and get interesting shades once you put down a base coat of flat enamel (floquil brand is the best) white, light grey, light tan, etc., but it never seems to finish right.

Jake

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: St Helens, England
Posted by Daveash on Thursday, October 14, 2004 5:08 PM
Try a basecoat of light brown enamel then apply artists oil paints (burnt umber in various shades) , rubbed into the grain and then rubbed off before it dries. With practice you can achieve a realistic wood finish. Also, if it all goes wrong, it is easily removed with white spirits. You also get ages to play with it due to the long drying time.
Hope this helps
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Greenville,Michigan
Posted by millard on Thursday, October 14, 2004 7:28 PM
Dale
I use wood stains all the time works great.I usally put down a coat of Model Master acryl paint. Usally wood or a light tan let it dry. Then I apply the stain with a brush.. I've found Zar wiping stain to work the best.I've used several different colors but find Teak Natural to give the best wood look.after applying let it set set for at least 24Hrs. It will still be tacky so handle carefully.Next step is to spray it with Model Master acryl flat clear this seals the stain and dries it to the touch. Then I give the ship a wash of thinned black or brown to pop out the wood grain.Then I dry brush artist oils usally
Burnt umber for more effect.Hope that helps.
Rod
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