How do I correctly paint antifouling and waterlines

[Plasma_Frigate]

Sorry if this is the wrong place. It's just a single question. I have a plastic kit and for the first time have a hull that has no pre-drawn hull lines on where the antifouling ends and how thick the waterline band is. It's completely blank and I have to improvise. That's okay, but I'm a beginner and doubt my ability to somehow paint in perfect straight lines around the hull, especially maintaining the straight lines around bow and stern.

I am using spray paints for the antifouling and upper hull, and intend to paint the waterline band by hand with acrylic.

I have Tamiya masking tape but first I need to trace out perfect boundaries around the hull and have no idea how to do this. I will stuff up for sure. How do I go about this?

[nikosmadakis]

First check your references to find out where and how thick the black waterline is. Then take a pencil and put it horizontaly on something that is high enough so that the tip of the pencil is your top of the black waterline. Hold the hull steady and slide the pencil device along the hull giving you a perfectly horizontal line. Repeat for the bottom of the black and the other side. From there use your masking tape.

[biggles2]

A tool like this: http://www.micromark.com/Toolmakers-Sur ... ine-Marker is what you need, although maybe a little pricey depending on how often you use it. Cheaper devises are available, but I've made one with a couple of blocks of scrap wood, an elastic band, and a pencil. Once you realize their appearance, they are easy to improvise. You also have to firmly secure the hull so it doesn't wobble, or tilt, giving an uneven line!

[Bas]

Same principle, another way is trying it like this:



(link to the site, German language)

Good luck!

- Bas

[Plasma_Frigate]

Thanks I did the pencil and book trick and it came out very nice.