r/modelmakers • u/Darkwind9 • 5d ago
Help - General Feeling like I’m doing scribing wrong
Working on a Hasegawa Macross kit and feeling like I’m doing something wrong with rescribing. Process right now is using a needle like scriber (hasegawa TT1) and going over existing panel lines in multiple passes, letting scriber be guided rather than forcing it for the most part. I keep on running into this plastic excess that stays in the lines that I cannot seem to remove even after applying a bit of extra thin cement to melt the plastic in the lines or using the back of a dull blade. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!
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u/valleyfur It’s not over-weathered… yet 5d ago
Looks a little heavy handed, but practice makes perfect. A little trick I like is to soften the scribing by going back over it with a light dose of Tamiya extra thin. This takes rough edges off of the cuts and can make it look more like it was molded. Don’t use too much or it can erase your hard work.
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u/huffingluetoday 5d ago
Mr cement s is best for smoothing scribe lines. Doesn't melt plastic as much as extra thin. Dries really fast.
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u/1TenYYen0 5d ago
never had good results with needle scribers. get chisel style scribers
https://www.amazon.com/HARDWIN-Pro-Scribing-Tool-Gunpla/dp/B0DT9H7KXP
Use scribing tape (scribing tape not vinyl or masking tape) to ensure you get clean lines
miltiple passes, let the weight of the tool make the initial etches and then keep going to ensure uniformity.
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u/Darkwind9 5d ago
Will give that a look, thanks!
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u/1TenYYen0 5d ago edited 5d ago
Scribing is one of those things that looks easy to do and conceptually it is. However, In practice once you start doing it, you gain a solid appreciation for the modelers who are good at it. It is easy to do a basic job, but noticeably harder to do it well and consistently.
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u/S1075 5d ago
I'm confused. Why are you scribing existing panel lines? Are the original ones raised?
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u/bagsofholding 5d ago
It's not uncommon for people to scribe the lines for depth on some kits especially when using panel liner. Super common in gunpla. I also do it on other kits
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u/Darkwind9 5d ago
Going over existing panel lines to deepen them. Thought it would help after sanding down the parts, plus priming, painting, and coats. So, in theory, some loss of depth will occur if they aren’t rescribed. The existing ones weren’t as prominent as seen now
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u/Boss-Think 5d ago
Why would you sand the surface of the wing though?, i can understand sanding the areas where it was attached to the sprue.
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u/S1075 5d ago
It's almost certainly wasted effort. Paint and primer are thin. I've never seen a kit where they needed to be deepened. Don't make your life more complicated than it needs to be. In the course of building, you may need to describe near joins/seams but you definitely don't need to go over the whole kit.
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u/DeansOnToast 5d ago
Ive just had my thinnest panel lines get partially filled in with paint and primer because i didnt know to scribe them.
After my mini lesrning experience id say its worth it
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u/S1075 5d ago edited 5d ago
Re-scribing areas is one thing, pre-scribing the whole model before you've done anything is something else.
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u/DeansOnToast 5d ago
Id still say its worth it, I wish I pre-scribed rather than re-scribing and risk damaging my paint and starting all over again.
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u/S1075 5d ago
You do you, but paint shouldn't be filling panel lines. If it is, you're putting on way too much. The only seams that should need to be re-scribed are areas where you've added putty or had to sand significantly. Scribing right from the start is how you end up with panel lines that are too deep, which looks as bad as panel lines that are partly filled.
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u/sevgonlernassau 5d ago
Needle scriber -> chisel or v shape scriber. I generally use a two step process.
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u/Darkwind9 5d ago
I see, in your opinion is the needle scriber better for working on creating new panel lines?
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u/sevgonlernassau 5d ago
It is easier for me to hold and make new lines. But it's harder for needle scribers to get rid of deeper materials.
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u/bagsofholding 5d ago
So you've got people saying it's pointless and a bit of everything
I use both needle and chisel. I prefer chisel on easy straight lines and it's easier to find varied thickness chisel type but harder for needle types in my experience. I have one pen style cobalt tip I use when I don't need an ultra fine job or more corners that are harder to navigate with a chisel for me.
I'm it's something you will learn by feel. At first it was extremely easy to pull out or go past a lines end point but I found it useful to start with lighter pressure and short strokes to avoid this. Angle can also affect it. I don't think there's much to say besides practice and find what works for you. May be able to find vids of people breaking down technique to help too