Chasseur Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 For about six months I have been on a quest for the best sail material and technique. Things get really dicey when you get into the smaller scales with the desire to remain true to scale. I have heard of resume paper, cigarette paper, fine linen etc. I am hoping our members would provide their best material choice and technique here on this thread. I am anticipating a good discussion here as there is always someone who stumbles upon a new material and technique whether by accident or experimentation. If you can please post pictures of your best work even better! I look forward to your replies ... Jeff IgorSky 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fellingham Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 I like cigarette paper on smaller models where the largest sail is small enough to cut from one paper. I like the papers that have a lined watermark that replicates the seams without overdoing them by drawing them in. Take careful note of the watermarks - almost all cigarette papers have them. I've used high quality, acid-free, standard weight printer paper with all the sail details printed on both sides successfully. I'm planning to experiment with acid-free, archival tissue for sails to see if I can wet it and let it dry over some kind of form to get compound curves in a sail. I want to keep my sails as thin as possible in order to keep that thickness close to scale. I find a noticeable thickness at a sail's edge objectionable. IgorSky 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwyl Blaser Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 For most of my models, I use parchment paper. It has a slight translucent look to it, it holds its shape really well, and has a crispness to it. For ships that have furled sails, I have used a tissue paper. It flakes well when lashed to the yards. I built a small jig with which I furl the sails prior to lashing to the yard. This image is elsewhere on the site, but it is also relevant here. I have never used cigarette paper but it sounds like a good paper to use. Gwyl IgorSky 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubjugger Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Tops brand cigarette papers work well for me, the lines watermarked into them pass pretty well as the seams of the sail cloths. The sails color decently with a stain marker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasseur Posted April 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2015 TJ, What brand of stain marker do you usually use? Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubjugger Posted April 18, 2015 Report Share Posted April 18, 2015 Jeff, I use Chart pak, got them at a craft store called Michael's, and believe them to be alcohol based. Previously i'd used Rit dye disolved in alcohol, and though the dye doesn't dissolve well, it worked after a fashion. I believe there are brushable alcohol based wood dyes, but i havent gotten around to looking for them. Might be that tea steeped in alcohol would work too, though it's been said that tea might tend to hasten deterioration of the paper. TJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasseur Posted April 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2015 Yes I would agree the tannic acid in tea might be a bit harsh. We have a Michael's close by so thanks for the tip on Chart pack, good to know! Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubjugger Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 Jeff.. I see that Rocklers carries a dry wood stain that can be mixed with either water or alcohol, i might try ordering some. Couple things i liked about the Rit dye dissolved in alcohol were that i could dilute the solution to vary the shade, and apply it neatly with a small brush to get the effect of patches and replaced sections of sail cloth once the sails were on the model. I only use one color of Chart Pak marker on my sails, (golden maple), so i suppose i'd only need to buy one color from Rocklers. TJ Chasseur 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasseur Posted April 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Thanks TJ good to know ... Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exwafoo Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Hi All, Instead of stain, get some small tubes of artists water paints, colours of your choice, a box of the primary colours plus black and white isn't expensive, especially if you get the students grade which are slightly less opaque than artists.Watercolours are designed not to damage paper, assuming the water is OK. One purchase will probably last for ever. A couple of spots of paint in water will make a coloured wash to stain the paper. Remember sails are not usually uniformly coloured, having dirt, scuffs, stains, and patches on the original canvas (or man made materials for more modern ships). Watercolour can also be used for detailing on fittings that have a white acrylic undercoat. (Artist's technical info via art student daughter, not to mention the 'borrowing' of materials). Happy painting Alan Gwyl Blaser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwyl Blaser Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Hi All, Instead of stain, get some small tubes of artists water paints, colours of your choice, a box of the primary colours plus black and white isn't expensive, especially if you get the students grade which are slightly less opaque than artists.Watercolours are designed not to damage paper, assuming the water is OK. One purchase will probably last for ever. A couple of spots of paint in water will make a coloured wash to stain the paper. Remember sails are not usually uniformly coloured, having dirt, scuffs, stains, and patches on the original canvas (or man made materials for more modern ships). Watercolour can also be used for detailing on fittings that have a white acrylic undercoat. (Artist's technical info via art student daughter, not to mention the 'borrowing' of materials). Happy painting Alan Alan, This is a good recommendation. A person could create any color or variation needed with water colors. They thin down really well too. Thanks for the suggestion. Gwyl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubjugger Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 I found that the water in water colors tended to wrinkle the cigarette paper, reason i use alcohol based dyes. TJ Gordon York 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwyl Blaser Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 TJ, I wonder if using a clothing iron on low heat would flatten the paper. I remember using this on some homework when I was in school. It worked great for that. Gwyl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubjugger Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Gwyl... I made a small press based on squares of masonite with a lead weight sitting on top, but i only use it for flattening plane shavings and making plywood of them since shifting to alcohol based dyes for my sails several years ago. I would imagine that an iron on a low temperature setting would work fine. TJ Gwyl Blaser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fellingham Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 The water colors sound like a much better approach to coloring sails than weak tea or coffee, both of which are acidic and could contribute to long term deterioration of the sail material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasseur Posted May 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 I am pleased with the response here and water colours sounds like sound advice. Excellent responses by all .... Jeff Gwyl Blaser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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