How do you detail brush?

[thesnake87]

I thought I may as well create a topic for discussing different detail painting techniques since I haven't seen one. Just to share ideas, scenarios, etc...

So, what do you use for the small stuff?

For me... Just from what I've learned from my dad I've been using the best toothpicks I can find in the box I have that work with the size area/part I'm painting. I also have some smaller detail brushed... But their heads are still too big for the super small stuff. Or sometimes I'll keep the tip of a normal brush as fine pointed as I can and paint that way.

That's me from my little amount of experience lol, what's yours?

[Len Woodruff]

I also use the tooth picks. The round ones seam to have a small (more pointed) tip than the square ones.

[crazyjim]

Toothpicks, pins, 0-0000 paint brushes, those little plastic things with a fuzzy head.

[MrObsessive]

If you're someone with shaky hands, try to anchor your hand with the other hand to keep it steadier. That's better than trying to paint with your free hand in the air shakin' all over the place.

Or if that's difficult to do, anchor your wrist on the edge of the table to steady it. That's what I tell people when I'm training them to solder.

Edited June 7, 2011 by MrObsessive

[stevez]

Here's an easy way to bring out details: drybrush a lighter color (lite grays or metallics are good choices) after your darker base color is dry. Simply dip your flat paintbrush in the color of choice and dry the brush off in towel. Soon as the color disappears, gently brush against the high points of your darker painted object (say an engine) and you'll soon see all of the detail (the dry brush actually is not dry). Easy to use on flat painted objects: seats, dashboards, engines, chassis. Used a lot by military guys, car guys should use more often. Don't think it will work well with gloss painted bodies, I would not use on bodies. Good luck!

[thesnake87]

Oh yeah I've done that with like adding smoke stains (best I can say it) from exhaust on military vehicles. It sounds like it's pretty much the same concept. Good point I should try that again with an extra engine I have.

So just from what's been posted, it seems like really whatever you can use that has a small enough point for what you need is good like toothpicks, wires, etc...

[Lownslow]

sharpened toothpicks , and high 0 gauge brushes.

one ive thought of but never tried for exterior badges and trim was drybrush silver on a smooth cork then brush it across the raised edges

Edited June 8, 2011 by Lownslow

[Len Woodruff]

You don't even have to brush it. Just coat with paint and lightly press it straight down on the badge. It will act like a tampo.

So you paint some smooth cork and press against the part? What kind of cork do you use?

[Lownslow]

So you paint some smooth cork and press against the part? What kind of cork do you use?

i havent done it yet i tried futurabats method and still got paint on the body

[Agent G]

I took a cork stopper from a wine bottle that was really really smooth. I cut the tip in such a way as to just cover the trim. I put paint on that and lightly, ever so lightly, pressed down.

I kept the cork full length so I had something to hold.

G

[hellonwheelz3]

If I am off topic I apologize, but if I was going to do pinstriping like the intricate ones you see on the back of a '49 mercury, I would basically do like the tattoo artists do and trace the design on to some carbon paper. After the design is drawn onto the paper, when you peal the paper off (slowly) it will leave a basic sketch and you can use that as a template.

[MikeMc]

use good brush with a nice pointed tip for one.

the other thing is paint flow and getting it to flow from the brush and onto what you are painting. never put a dry brush into wet paint, pre-moisten the brushes bristles before dipping into the jar. the other thing too is using paint that's of the right consistency just like in airbrush use. if it's too old and thick, it's not helping you. paint should "flow" nicely from the brush to the surface being painted and not have to be forced by excessive brushing.

Dave hit it right on....I moisten the brush in thinner and work the paint a bit. The long skinny brushes, called liners work great for hand striping..I got these from Micro Mark....

http://www.micromark.com/6-piece-Ultra-Detailer-Paint-Brush-Set,7662.html