Maintaining layout points in good working order is an important part of ensuring the smooth and reliable operation of...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
How can I best maintain my layout points in working order?Read more -
How do I use epoxy resin?Read moreThere are many types of Epoxy Resins, they all contain roughly the same properties ending up as a very hard-wearing...
-
How do you apply waterslide decals?Read moreEven accomplished modellers will high-five anyone around when their transfers go on seamlessly, they can be a little...
-
What are functions on a DCC decoder?Read moreOne of the many advantages of using DCC is that compliant models are capable of operating auxiliary functions such as...
-
What is a unifrog turnout?Read moreA unifrog turnout can perform as an electrofrog or an insulfrog turnout, that means that there is no longer a need...
What is a panel line?
Panel lines can help give life and realism to a model. These are the gaps or joins that you would see on the real-life prototype of a model between the metal panels that make up its bodywork.
All large forms of transport have their outer bodywork made up from many smaller panels. Sometimes, if the design work has been carried out with aesthetics or aerodynamics in mind the panel lines will be barely visible as on a plane, but they are there, and on a model, it is quite noticeable when they are not represented and result in the model looking toy-like or at best, basic.
Panel lines are also evident between the different features of a vehicle's body, for example, between a door and the main body (often referred to as the shut lines) or around the grills and vents etc. So most modern models will have panel lines moulded into them.
Some modellers like to accentuate panel lines when weathering a model to mimic the dirt and grime that would naturally build up in the joins between panels as the vehicle gets older.
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Related posts
-
Do I need to wash my plastic kit?I personally wash all my plastic kits, I use warm soapy water (Washing up liquid) and a light rub over with a nail... - Do I need to use a primer?For best results it is advisable to use a primer as this will stick to the plastic and give a uniform coat of paint...
- What is Milliput?Milliput is a two-part epoxy putty. There are two different colour rolls in a box when these are mixed together it...
- What is weathering?Weathering is a painting technique used by modellers to create the appearance of dirt and grime and even damage to...
- What modelling tools do I need to get started?Most modellers have an extensive tool kit, a tool for every eventuality. But when first starting a scalpel or a...