How to Airbrush Rivets & Panel Lines

Create more realistic model machines with spray-painted rivets and panel lines.

Rivets and panel lines are two essential components of metal panels. They can line the sides of tanks, airplanes and other machines. Whether you’re creating a drawing of a metal machine with rivets and panel lines or a model of a tank or airplane, you can add depth and make models look more realistic by using an airbrush gun and a simple technique to create rivets and panel lines on the sides of your project.

Things You'll Need

• Overhead projector plastic sheets
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Sewing needle
• Dual-action airbrush gun
• Air hose
• Air compression tank
• Black or gray airbrush paint

Instructions

1. Determine the size of your panels. Cut two pieces of plastic laminate sheeting in the desired dimensions to use as templates. Alternatively, if your project is smaller, use a plastic sheet designed for an overhead projector.

2. Punch evenly-spaced holes along the edges of one of the plastic rectangles, using a hole punch. Place the holes 1/2 inch inward from the edges of the plastic sheet.

3. Reserve at least one of the punched plastic holes. Set the plastic panel template aside. Install black or gray airbrush paint into a dual-action airbrush gun. Ensure the air hose is securely connected to both the airbrush gun and air compression tank. Turn on the tank.

4. Place the unpunched plastic panel template against the paper, foam or cardboard surface where you want to add rivets and panel lines. Hold your airbrush gun 1/2 inch from the edge of the plastic piece. Depress the trigger on the top of your airbrush gun and pull it back all the way toward you.

5. Move your airbrush around the perimeter of the plastic panel template to create panel lines. Repeat this step until one side of your project is filled with panel lines. Allow the paint to dry for 30 minutes.

6. Place the panel template with the holes on top of the first panel outline you created. Hold the airbrush gun 1 inch from the surface of the plastic. Depress the trigger and pull it back halfway to add a light shading effect in the punched-out space, creating the basic shape of rivets along the inside of your panel lines.

7. Release the trigger. Hold the airbrush gun closer, to within 1/2 inch of the plastic surface. Pull the trigger back all the way and apply paint along the bottom-left side of the holes to add depth to the rivets and make them look more realistic. Continue adding and shading the bottom-left side of the rivet holes until all panels are filled with rivets.

8. Stick a sewing pin into the plastic hole that you set aside at the beginning of the project. Hold the plastic dot over each rivet hole and lightly spray-paint the right edge of the dot to create a recessed look for your rivets. Hold the airbrush gun 1/2 inch from the surface of your project, depress the trigger and pull it halfway back toward you to add this finishing touch to each rivet.

Resources

• Airbrush Tricks: The Rivet Effect
• How to Airbrush: Airbrush Lesson One
• IPMS Stockholm: Tech Tips - Shading and Enhancing Panel Lines