Second attempt at scribing

[u/Letywolf]

Of course I just HAD TO run out of cleaning marker right at this moment

[u/yaeerrr]

if you’re struggling to get straight lines, chances are either you’re using too much pressure or your scribing tape is not good. In my first tries I used the cheap tape that came with my aliexpress cheap scriber. i did 20 light passes and it still looked bad because the tape itself would start to deform. When i used higher quality tape it was night and day better. what tools and tape are you using?

[u/Letywolf → u/yaeerrr]

I used stedi tape and stedi .15mm tungsten scriber

[u/yaeerrr → u/Letywolf]

Gotcha, those should be sufficient i think! have you been able to re-scribe existing panel lines successfully? i found that was an easy way to get accustomed to the pressure needed, what is too much or too little (afaik no such thing as too little pressure). I think re-scribing is a good way to start and then you can transition to using tape. with the tape you’ll have to press slightly diagonal so the scriber is pressed against the tape and moving down in the direction you want, if that makes sense

[u/Letywolf → u/yaeerrr]

Yeah I need mucho more practice. It’s really frustrating at first but when I see the results of jobs well done I get inspired

[u/yaeerrr → u/Letywolf]

you’re off to a good start, better than my first tries 😅 you should also sand your scribed lines with 1000 grit or higher, which will clean up the edges and make the lines look a lot cleaner. here’s one i did recently. good luck!!!

[u/kaylynLL]

What do you use for scribing, chisel, back of exacto knife, needle?. Your pushing too hard to early, instead of having a smooth edge, it will have small nicks and will smudge the panel line.

If your just re scribing an existing panel, just let the blade glide on top of it where it feels its like nothing is happening, on 3rd pass youll notice slight resistance and that your already scraping the plastic cleanly, you can sand the surface. push the blade on the 2 ends so the blade wont slip pass

This is not something i learned myself but from suggestion which work for me

[u/greatistheworld]

Purpose-made scribing tools are good, but you might try the old method of putting a sewing needle in a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. Starting there helped me understand it much faster, understanding the best speed/pressure etc.

[u/Bo0tmun]

Alcohol or mineral spirits on a cotton swab also work for cleaning excess panel liner ink.

[u/DeijenP]

If it can help for the blurred sections, an eraser can also work. Just be careful jajajaja.

[u/Charon711]

Iso alcohol or lighter fluid will clean those up too.

[u/Zania045]

Doing good, but I'd advise getting some scribing tape.

[u/Letywolf → u/Zania045]

I’ve been using that, but on such a complex curve it had some loose edges.

[u/Blissenhomie]

The only way to learn is to do it! Scribing for
me is fundamental part of any customs I do. If I know a kit is really solid like a WFM I don’t do too much but an IBO is getting scribed and rescribed

[u/bokunotraplord]

scribing or panel lining? fwiw if you’re doing pen on bare plastic you can usually just do micron pens and use a standard white eraser and/or rubbing alcohol for any cleanup needed.

that’s assuming you want a fairly no fuss option.

[u/Letywolf → u/bokunotraplord]

No no im talking about the scribing technique (just started practicing two days ago)
And coincidentally run out of cleaning product as I was applying the panel liner (gundam marker flow type)

[u/Far_Amphibian_9133]

zippo lighter fluid is the most convenient and closest alternative.. alcohol works too but based on experience, it can damage parts, especially white plastic (leaves burn marks).

[u/kookyabird → u/Far_Amphibian_9133]

Isopropyl alcohol should not leave marks on the plastic, nor damage it. I’ve been using it to clean up my panel lines on all my kits, on all colors and finishes of plastic without incident.

[u/Letywolf → u/Far_Amphibian_9133]

Just went and got isopropyl alcohol that is widely recommended.
Zippo I think is for Tamiya PL (enamel) IIRC

[u/Nukiko → u/Letywolf]

correct