Kusakusa Gunpla

How to do panel-lining

Panel lines are those lines which resemble tiny drains on the surface of most gunpla. They’re there to provide more details and to brighten-up your gunpla, provided you do something about it. Basically there’s 2 ways about it: 1) using markers to ‘draw’ the panel lines or 2) using paint and brush method.

Using markers

This is the most noob-friendly method. Basically you can use any fine tip marker with the color of your choice (preferably dark colors) to draw along the panel lines. I have a Gundam marker which I bought when I first started this hobby and I still use it from time to time. You can just rub off any excess lines using an eraser or just rub using your fingers. You should get something like this:

Pros: Little start-up material needed, all you need is the marker. Easy to do

Cons: Choice of color is limited by what marker is available. Very tedious when you have a lot of panel lines to fill. Looks less ‘natural’ compared to the wash method

Final comments: I think it works best on bare plastic rather than painted surfaces so I would only recommend this if you’re just starting out with the hobby and you didn’t paint your kit.

.

Using paint & brush

This method involves thinning your paint and applying the colors on the panel lines using a fine-tip paint brush. If the paint is thinned properly and the panel line is deep enough, the paint will flow along the panel line due to capillary movement.

Rule of thumb: Don’t use the same paint type (acrylic/lacquer/enamel) as your base paint to do your panel lining. For example, if you use enamel paints to paint your model, don’t use enamel paints to do the panel lining. The reason is to avoid wiping off your base paint when you wipe the excess panel lines. So far I’ve tried the following combinations with no problem: 1) handpainted lacquer base with acrylic wash or enamel wash and 2) Tamiya/Mr Color Spray cans with acrylic or enamel wash

I have no exact formula on how much thinner or paint to use, just as long as it looks thinned. If you find that the paint is too thick, just add more thinner and vice versa. After you finished panel lining, you can clean up the smudges by wiping them off using a cotton bud soaked in the appropriate thinner.

Pros: More choice of colors, depending on what paints you have available (remember: black is not the only panel line color). Easier to do when you have a lot of panel lines to fill. Looks more natural

Cons: More startup material (paint, thinner, brush) needed. Can look smudgy when excess lines are not cleaned.

Final comments: The preferred choice for those who paint their kits. Some people spray a layer of gloss-coat over their paintjob before they do the panel-lining but I think its only needed if you used flat paints