This rookie needs a little help from you experts out there. I'm trying photo etch for the first time and have a couple questions. First: What do you use to get the parts off the fret without boogering them up? Second: My set come with a nice set of instruments printed on clear plastic. Should I paint the back side of these white to make them stand out when I put them in the panel?

First of all welcom to the site:

Now for the first question. I usually use one of those flat razor blades found in those little scrapers painters use to get paint off a window. (Widgets are what I call them)

I take a small piece of glass ( any hard flat surface will do) and just lie the PE on it and either push or cut with the blade. Be sure to either hold the piece with your finger or place the part your cutting on the sticky side of some tape so it won't go flyng off to the nether regions.. ( don't ask how I know that). File off the side if necessary.

The panel is a little different. I usually prime the whole part white first.

Then when it comes time to paint the panel its color I mask the place where the clear sheet of instruments is going to sit with tape.

Paint the part. Pull the masking off. The place the clear sheet into place.. Voila white backing on the instuments.

Paint, Dry brush and weather the PE panel and place it over the clear film already attched to the part Add a drop of future or your favorite Gloss coating with a small brush or toothpick of a glass effect. That's it all done

Hope this helps Let us know how it goes

Paul

Agree with Paul with the the glass or hard perspex (i.e. not your cutting mat) . I keep the fret in a clear plastic bag when cutting usually the one it comes in. And Paul I recommend an apron for keeping PE out of your nether regions! Either that or don't do it in your birthday suit.

JP:

Being Nov here the birthday suit is not the appropriate attire for modeling. Nor any activity that involves sharp objects. Only two things you can do in that suit

I tried the bag idea and found after cutting a few pieces a couple of them of pieces flew out the opening or out of the cut i was making Thus the tape. It stays where I would put it and my clumsy self wouldn't lose as much. Besides with my old eyes the bag threw my percepition off and I was cutting to far away from the piece. I hate filing/sanding that stuff.

Paul

Welcome to Aeroscale. You will find a lot of helpful people here. It is good to ask questions and post pictures of your work. Check out the campaigns, they are great fun.

The etch folding machines are really helpful. After you cut the piece, you can clamp it in and shave the tabs off flush. For folding, they are great. I never thought I would get one. But , after being dissatisfied with numerous fold attempts, I decided to get one. If you are going to use PE, save yourself a lot of aggravation. Go ahead and get one.

Two things? Hot shower. Hot bath, right? There was a thread here about injuries people received while modeling. If you can find it, it is worth reading.

I have used acetate instrument panels a few times. They are simple and effective. I use clear glue intended for clear clear parts. When finished, you can put a drop over the instruments, and it dries clear and is very effective as instrument glass. This glue is really a good investment if you want to avoid marring canopies.

Ok Carl 3 things I forgot about the bath..

I have read the thread and giggled out loud due to the fact I did most of them.

Another alternative to the clear glue for the Acetate instruments & the Etch panel itself is just good old future or a gloss coat applied with a brush. It is sticky enough to work with the part in a few mins and not as thick as the glue.

I have used clear glue before and sometimes my clumsy fingers get the stuff everywhere on the part you don't want it to go.

Let us know how you make out Andy and don't be shy about the wacky silly stuff that happens either. ( Carls right if you can find the thread it is a riot).

Chances are we have all been there at least once or twice.

Paul