Page 9 - April 2018

For tightly curved surfaces such as the
fuselage, you can use label making tape like
that made by Dymo. It will contour to the
surface while being thick enough to act as a
guide to your scribing tool.
Scribing Surface Details on Your Aircraft Model Usually the first step when scribing a plastic
airplane model is to make smooth the parts to
This tutorial explains be scribed. You can start by shaving off as
how to replace raised much detail as possible with a dull hobby knife
details with scribed
lines. Prior to about (a sharp blade increases the chance of gauging
twenty-five years ago, into the surface). After shaving, finish the
removal by lightly wet sanding with fine
the typical plastic model sandpaper (800-grit or finer). After sanding and
airplane kit had
shaving, it is often possible to still see the faint
unrealistic-looking raised panel lines or countless remnants of the original panel lines making
rows of rivet heads covering the model’s surface. then useful as a guide to scribe the recessed
This is because it was too expensive to develop the details.
steel injection molding tools that could simulate
recessed panel lines. During the late 1980’s we Make sure that your parts do not move while
started to see models with more realistic-looking scribing. Secure them with tape onto a cutting
recessed panel lines pad and support contoured parts so that they
are not depressed during scribing. How deeply
This was due to advances in the mold-cutting to scribe is a matter of preference and
techniques that made it made it possible to experience. Do you want the scribed surface
economically develop steel molds with the raised details to dominate the finished model or do
details necessary to create the recessed features in you want them to be a subtle detail?
the injection molded plastic parts. However, many
kits made from older injection molds are still on the You will notice that scribing plastic creates a
market today and some newer kits have some raised ridged groove. To achieve the illusion of clean,
features that would look much more realistic when fully recessed panel lines, these ridges need to
converted to recessed features. be removed. Ridges can be removed by more
wet sanding. Sanding will tend to fill the scribed
There are many reasons to convert to recessed lines with wet dust. This can be removed by
panel lines and details. A big advantage of recessed scrubbing in soap and water.
features is that they can receive a light wash to show
weathering as part of the finishing coats. Also, kits
rarely assemble so that opposing parts align
perfectly. Panel lines often have to be removed and
re-scribed. Lastly, a high gloss finish will highlight
surface detail making recessed lines much more
desirable.

There are a variety of scribing tools from which to
choose. There is the traditional sickle-shaped
scribing tool shown in the photo as well as almost
any tool with a thin V-shaped point such as a sewing
pin, number 11 Xacto blade or a needle in a pin vice.
Along with choosing a scribing tool, you will need to
choose a guide or template suitable for the project.
For a flat surface requiring straight lines, you can use
almost any straight surface. There are a number of
scribing templates produced by aftermarket modeling
companies.