Coloring edges

[richkat]

I am having a bad time of coloring the edges of my cut stock, can't find anything that works good. I'v tryed felt pens (it bleeds) crayon (glue wont stick good) charcoal (messy) and water color pencils (too hard to cover well).....HELP!!! what do you use??? Any ideas ..I'll try anything....Rich

[Zathros]

I use Sharpies. Shapies come in the standard "fat" tip, but also come in a very pointed super thin diameter. These work well because there is never enough ink to bleed out that fast. I also use the "side" of the point (on the fat tips), if it fits, and roll the pen, I do not press down on the edge, l just let it soak up a tiny bit. If you are having real problems, you could seal the edge with a tiny big of adhesive. This will block the coloring from bleeding through.

[Don Boose]

There are a lot of discussions of edge coloring. Here are two: Coloring edges?
Covering up fold lines and edges

My two favorites are:

1. Caran d'Ache Neocolor II water soluble wax pastels. Expensive, but they last a long time, will not bleed, applied thickly will fill gaps, can be rubed with the finger to blend in, and can be painted on with a brush dipped in water.
Here is one source: Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Artists' Crayons - BLICK art materials

2. Faber Castell Pitt Artist brush pens. Fairly resistant to bleeding. The grays will work with many subdued colors, such as khaki and olive drab. Also expensive, but last a long time.
Here is one source: Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens - BLICK art materials

I have also used Tombow brush pens, which have similar characteristics to the Pitt artist brush pens: Tombow Dual Brush Pens - BLICK art materials

Zathros mentions Sharpies, which are popular with many (I find them slightly more subject to bleeding, but Z provides some hints to prevent this) and the silver Sharpie is terrific for natural metal finishes.

I look forward to seeing other inputs on this.

Don

[cMags]

Check out this thread I wrote on edge coloring with water color pencils. Should give you an idea about materials and technique.

Edge Coloring with Watercolor Pencil and Back-to-Back Parts

[GreMir]

My vote is for Faber-Castel PITT artist brush pens.

[dansls1]

For the real nice detailed models I buy water based paints and paint the edges.

[richkat]

Thanks guys...I'll give them all a try....Rich

[Jim Nunn]

Every one has a preference but I prefer semi-liquid water color paint. Color matching the part is very easy with the paint and there is no bleeding of the color because you can control the amount of water used. Some side advantages of using water colors are low cost. a set of 12 basic colors can be purchased at Michaels for under $10 with coupon. the pigments can be used with acrylics to tint the paint to match colors. I also use it to weather a model. This model is an example of making the seams disappear. The muzzle brake was also colored with water color paints the metal parts were painted with acrylics tinted to match the model.

Jim Nunn

[codex34]

Felt pens and inks will only work if you transfer the ink to something else first, like a pencil rubber. I use a small piece of silicone, they use silicone for transfer printing in industry. And you can wash it after.

[Loui]

Big Thanks for the tips n links. gonna use it on my next build...