Silly trick:

If you need to sand in areas with panel lines, which then of course disappear, it may be worthwhile to deepen the existing panel lines before sanding en switch between sanding/deepening regularly. The existing lines are usually very good guides for deepening.

just my 0.01 cents

Drab, I thought about that, but since this is for a learning experience. Your tip will be taken up on later scribing tries, thanks for you input it helps.

The more I look at this Vintage Monogram Bf109 the more I think it will be worth some painting and good decals.

Bob

My progress has been pretty good with some boo boos as well. I finally used some Bare-Netal foil on the canopy before applying primer.















after the primer shows all of the panel lines I can see which are not so good. I now know which tool to scribe which line and how to finesse the tool to make a straight line.

Bob

Bob,
Did you intend to engrave that deeply or is this just part of the experiment? I guess my comment would be panel lines should be a little more subtle, and less deep-- barely perceptible under primer and a couple of coats of paint-- those look pretty deep. What tool did you use to get these, or is it a combination of tools?
VR, Russ

Russ, this was/still is an experiment and I will use much less pressure next time.

Bob

Bob, I was thinking that. I use several tools when scribing panel lines. I've tried most of the commercial ones sold (except for MMRs-- which I'd like to try). I've found all of them a bit lacking so I've fallen back on just two. I really like using just the tip of the back of a B&B surgical blade (available from Squadron) mounted in thier cheapo handle. I also have a selection of dental scrapers (gleaned from my dentist who saves old worn out ones for me (along with old dental burrs). I take the old scrapers and probes and use my Dremel tool to grind ad polish them up into acceptable scribers. That way I can get whatever tip I need. I've found the LSP article (linked above) on the "Poor Mans Slotting File" to be very helpful as well, although I use super fine sandpaper glued back to back with CA, rather than the plastic he used in the article. I have a modeling friend who uses old airbrush needles for scribing and swears they are the best tool for fine lines (I don't go through airbrush needles that fast to use them though-- thank goodness!). I'm looking forward to your next scribing article!
VR, Russ

Russ, could you post a photo of your B&B surgical blade and handle?

Bob

Bob, I’m a Luddite when it comes to posting photos, but I’ll send a PM. The B&D blades are surgical blades with a slot in the end of the blade that goes in a “flat” handle. Squadron sells them.
VR, Russ

Since these are test subjects I will stay true to Monograms vintage instructions color scheme for the 109 and Hurricane.

I pulled the airbrushes out after some 4-5 months and they did work well so back to the bench for a tear down and another clean up. The paint also was drying before it hit the plastic so more retarder. The weather here is very humid and the water filter was still spitting every so often.

Bob,
Paint drying before it hits the model's surface which is thinned out correctly can be caused by other factors. Distance from the tip to the surface, and flow psi will also cause it.

Joel

Joel, I found one major problem with my a/b. The paint that I was using had a lot of sediment and was clogging the nozzle. I took some stocking and made a filter to put the paint through and it worked the sediment was done away with and the results was much better,

It has been a while, but the subject Bf109 was found and used to see if my airbrushing was any good. The scribing turned out OK. I was pleased with the sessions at the a/b, this will continue to be used as a practice tool.

I finally pulled the photo cube out and set it up, which I don't like to do. It is a pain with the cat just waiting for me to leave the room and use it as his bed.

Here are better shots of the Monogram Bf109E and the final result of my attempt at rescribing panel lines.

I was able to use the original decals.