Detailing Tutorial for Beginners

[engineshop]

I put together a detailing (and small painting) tutorial for absolute beginners. Please let me know how I can improve it and please come forward with all your Trick of Trades I don't know and we want the beginners to know.

Thanks

http://usloki.tripod.com/detailing.htm

[tom mann]

This is really good stuff.  Thanks for sharing.

I would add a neat little trick that I've been doing lately.  Instead of dipping small parts like grabs into CA and applying, I've been adding the parts and then squirting thin CA from the inside.  This has the advantage of filling the area in between the #80 holes and the grab, while keeping the tweezers away from the CA.

[tom mann]

Oh, I also use the original molded on grabs as a guide for drilling.  Only after I drill, I scrape them off.  I find the blma template a little hard to use because it's hard to align properly on a shell.

[Iain]

Oh, I also use the original molded on grabs as a guide for drilling.  Only after I drill, I scrape them off.  I find the blma template a little hard to use because it's hard to align properly on a shell.

I use both; I drill one hole, put a small piece of wire in it, slip on one side of the BLMA template, line the other hole up with where it is supposed to go, and drill.

[wm3798]

Very nicely done... The only thing I would suggest would be to work a little on your photo focus and lighting to really capture the detail of your work.  Excellent otherwise.

Lee

[Sokramiketes]

Nicely done. 

Are you really using Polly S paints?  Or have you switched to PollyScale paints?

It's a pet peeve of mine that some modelers use "PollyS" when they're really talking about Pollyscale.  PollyS was a different formula, with different airbrushing characteristics.  People might get confused.   

[engineshop]

Thanks for the feedback.

Tom Mann
I tried the glue from inside but did not have much sucess but will give it a try again. I mention the inside glueing in the tutorial but I might add your comments on how to do it right.

wm3798
I am battling with taking pictures for a long time and I have read and downloaded every tutorial I could find and that is about the best I can do.

Iain
I really like your trick with the first hole as a point of reference for the template. If you don't mind, I would include it in the tutorial.
I used to use transparent styrene pieces as a template but the holes worn out to quickly.

Skibbe
I thought Polly S is just short for Polly Scale. I checked Testor's web site and they even mix those two names constantly. I will change the name since the bottles are labeled Polly Scale.

[Iain]

Go ahead.  I did it because I never could seem to get that second hole the perfect distance from the first.

[3rdrail]

Go ahead.  I did it because I never could seem to get that second hole the perfect distance from the first.

There's a very easy way to get the second hole the perfect distance from the first. They're called dividers and come with drafting sets. Drill the first hole and place one side of the dividers in it. Then press the other steel pin of the dividers at the second hole location and push down. You've got a point for the drill to grab and start. Works like a prick punch to start drill holes, especially in wood or plastic.

[Iain]

Hah, never thought of that.  I have a set of dividers, but I think brass would be too soft.  I'll have to get a cheap steel set.

[rschaffter]

I use cosmetic sponges for pressing down decals.  I got a bag of them at Walmart for a couple of dollars that will last me for years.

[Sokramiketes]

Skibbe
I thought Polly S is just short for Polly Scale. I checked Testor's web site and they even mix those two names constantly. I will change the name since the bottles are labeled Polly Scale.

Polly S was the original acrylic line.  In the mid-90's they reformulated the acrylics, and named the new line Polly Scale.  I wonder if the references on the Testors site are old, or actually making reference to version 1.  I poked around a little bit but didn't see and references to Polly S, so can't comment further. 

[SirTainly]

Roland, damn fine work! 

[Craig Martyn]

Great work Roland!  The locomotives look awesome and that tutorial really covers all of the bases!