HM Journal Issue 06 Modeling Tips

ISSUE NUMBER 6

HISTORICAL MINIATURES BY GEORGE GRASSE
HISTORICAL MINIATURES JOURNAL

NOVEMBER 2009

Tip 22) A stick of graphite works to buff up and shine a painted component that should look like metal. Often, when painting a weapon, semi-gloss or gloss mediums applied over the paint don't give it a convincing finish. A small bar of graphite works to enhance the metallic effect. This is done be simply rubbing the bar along the surface or at the spot to be shined. A little rubbing with a finger spreads the graphite. For example, a modern black-blue gun barrel looks more realistic when you have rubbed it with graphite rather than touched it up with a lighter metallic color such as silver or steel.

Tip 23) Continuing with the graphite theme in Tip 21, both unpainted and painted metal components can be realistically enhanced using a little graphite rub. Painted metal components such as access panels, cowlings, engine cylinders, exhaust manifolds, and spinners are enhanced when rubbed modestly with a graphite stick. Using metallic paints also enhance components. This includes machine guns and aluminum panels. Another method is to sparingly paint a lighter metallic color on the part and rub it in or use the dry-brush technique.

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