"Scribing" with Pencil??

[sequoiaranger]

My current "inline Hayate" project will have me (regrettably) sanding down the fine raised detail of the fuselage. I *HATE* re-scribing the "traditional" way, as even with my considerable skill, I *F*-up and scratch unwanted lines all over the place. So....

I had thought of using ultra-fine PENCIL lines after (or maybe before) decalling, then overspraying with dullcote to seal it all in. I would *THINK* (having NO experience with this) that the overcoat would not wash or diffuse the fine graphite lines, and would preserve the lines. Am I delusional (I mean, about the pencil lines, not "in general")??

[sequoiaranger]

Thanks, Overkiller. I am not QUITE as insane as I thought! Yes, I have a mechanical pencil with ridiculously thin lead that should be able to create uniform lines. I have a template that has curves, etc, but I may have trouble getting the template close enough to the model to use it (with the wings getting in the way).

I have used fine pen lines AFTER all painting and decaling, etc., but that was for accenting RECESSED lines that would not smear with touch, and in areas not usually touched to move the model anyway.

As always with a new technique, it is advisable to try it out on a "practice dummy" model before the current project.

[McGreig]

I regularly use pencil rather than a wash to emphasise control surfaces or to draw the outlines of, say, flaps if the original engraved line has become filled or sanded away when tidying up the wing-fuselage join of an old kit.

I usually airbrush my models with Humbrol matt, draw on the pencil lines when this is dry and then airbrush the whole model with Klear prior to applying decals. I have never had a problem with this technique and it is easy to correct errors (I often just paint over stray pencil marks with a touch up brush if my hand slips with the pencil).

If you look at these kits you will see what I mean (the inboard flaps on the Hurricane and Spitfire are drawn on a flat surface):
www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,18870.0.htrr (Spatted Hurricane), www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,27556.0.htrr (Jet Boosted Spitfire) and www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,25264.0.htrr (MiG-17 Torpedo Bomber)

[RotorheadTX]

I use pencils (and pastels) all the time. Mechanical pencils for panel lines, Prismacolors for weathering and detail pick-outs, (pastels for general weathering). Good stuff all around, much easier to control than airbrushing, and can be erased/washed off if you're not happy with it.

[RPadavan2]

I also recommend latex-free rubber gloves or thin cotton gloves (if you do not already use them).  The gloves will keep the oils in your skin from marring the finish or smudging the lines you have already done. 

[rickshaw]

Doesn't Darkmaster use a fine draughtsman's pen to achieve the same effect?   Check out some of his models in his momentous build thread to see what he does.