Hi all

I've just spent 2 days painting a french puzzle camo. The scheme is edged in thin black lines. My friends on here previously advised me the easiest way to do these dark lines is with a marker.

The markers come broadly in two types, permanent and non-permanent. The thought of using a permanent pen gives me the shakes just yhinking about it (not ideal!). But I'm wondering if I apply a gloss coat then use a non-permanet marker could I remove it with water if I go wrong?

Thanks for your help

Andy

What about Tamiya paint markers? are they still being produced

"Non-permanent" refers to the fact that they can be washed out of clothes with detergent. Go with the permanent marker so it won't bleed when you put the clear coat on. Actually it is easier to move the marker directly over the flat paint so you have some traction. Using the marker across the gloss coat would be like walking on ice...a little pressure in the wrong direction and zoom! your line is off in left field. I have done two tanks in the "Japanese Style" and it took me a lot of trial and testing to get it down perfect. The lady at Michael's gave me the evil eye as I stood in the middle of the aisle, different size markers between my fingers, drawing on a hulk Sherman kit. I said, "Don't worry, I'm buying 3 or 4 of them!" and that satisfied her.
You should practice on a junk kit,too.
So - get your fine line technical markers, hold the painted tank against your chest, brace your pen hand against your chest and the model, and slowly and smoothly draw a line between the colors of your camo pattern. Do not stop unless you get to a surface detail or intersection. Be nice and calm, no caffeine, feel the zen - you know - wax on, wax off. When all the lines are done, go on to your clear gloss - decal - clear gloss stage. I bought Figma Micron pens in 01, 03, 05, and 08. I used the 05 or 08 depending on the size of the camo pattern. This is an 05 on a Hotchkiss H39, which is very tiny -

Sorry guys, my tired eyes and tiny print, even with glasses - they're PIGMA Micron pens, not Figma!

Thanks Matthew

Done it, not perfect, but could have been hell of a lot worse!