On this page I will write about ways to enhance Your model's appearance by adding extra detail. If You want further information about detailing, You should visit the Coaster's Motorcycle modeling's tips section, I've learnt plenty there myself.

1. Upgrade hoses.
I have ordered some Mesh hoses and radiator hoses from Modeler's in Japan thru HLJ, and I used both when I built this Suzuki RG250 Gamma kit (Tamiya 14024)
 
In the first picture You can see the mesh hose (MO71-360) used for the anti-dive function on the front forks, with hose ends made from the supplied vinyl tubing. The second picture shows the radiator hose from Modeler's (MO417-300) attached to the water pump with a "clamp" made from Bare Metal foil.

2. Creating panel lines.
This trick is nicked from Tamiya Model Magazine wich from time to time feature bike and car models, always impressively buildt, especially if the editor is responsible. I'll include this trick because the magazine is not available to all.
Do as follows: Paint the panel lines with matt black enamel paint and wipe off the excess paint with white spirit, making sure first that the body's finish is dry and hardened, of course. After the paint has dried, simply buff the area around the panel line with model wax or Tamiya compound, this removes all the excess matt black leaving a perfect panel line -Voila! PS! I've only tried this on an enamel painted part, so I don't know if it can be used on an acrylic finish, but others have told me that's no problemo.

3. Make fuel and oil lines
Fuel lines often have a red transparent color, while oil or brake lines sometimes are green. A neat way to make these are to use either clear tube or nylon fishing line and simply paint the outside with clear colours such as Tamiya's X-27 Clear red or X-23 clear blue.

4: creating carbon fibre patterns
Paint the object with semi gloss black paint, and when this has dried, lay a mesh ( found in Tamiya Honda CBR XX and Suzuki RGV kits among others) over the subject. hold steady and spray XF-56 metallic grey paint onto the mesh. Do not wet coat or spray heavy. Carefully remove the mesh to reveal a nice carbon look.

This page was last updated on 08/27/01.