Posted by David Cotgreave on August 03, 1998 at 02:46:04 in dcc.festival.uwa.edu.au:
In Reply to: Brass porthole painting posted by Brett Anthony on July 31, 1998 at 11:42:40:
Brett,
In several of the Titanic books there is a picture that looks down the side of the ship to the dock below. In this picture you can see the sun shining on the brass rims of the smaller portholes.
In the white section the larger porholes had a white frame around them so are painted white. The small portholes have a brass interior.
I painted the interior of portholes with a Testor's Bright Brass, although a more 'copper' colour might be more appropriate for the scale.
If it is of any help I used the following method:
1. Drill out all the portholes.
Note: use a very low speed drill and have a candle standing by to burn off any plastic that might clog the bit - DO NOT leave the bit in the flame for more than a second to avoid damaging the bit.
You'll find that the the thicker parts of the hull at the bow and stern are quite thick so you will have to be careful not to melt the plastic as the drill bit gets warm.
Mike Pell has also mentions elsewhere on these pages that there are is a porthole missing in the white section of the hull just forward of the well deck cut out. You will also have to drill out the portholes on the aft of the ship.
There's several in the white strip and a couple in the black section directly below these. Check out photos of the rear section for their position.
2. Paint black section of hull until it is as you want it (ie no touch ups required).
3. Using the drill bit and a pin vice clear all portholes of any excess paint and remaining plastic.
4. Use a very small brush and 'rim' the portholes. Ensure that all of the porthole is painted. If you want to create a brass rim around the porthole just apply a little more pressure as you circle the brush.
Note: DO NOT paint the holes either side of the well deck 'cut outs' or the holes either side of where the Titanic's name will eventually go on the bow. These weren't portholes. I think they're called
hawser holes and were used to pass ropes through to moor the ship. Bob Read could probably confirm/deny this.
5. Let dry and touch up any portholes that are not completly painted.
6. Touch up the black around the portholes that you may have over painted.
It takes forever and you need a really steady hand to get the portholes consistent, especially if you are going to create the 'rim' effect.
You can then fill the portholes with Krystal Klear if you're really keen. I did and the final effect is magic.
I can scan a photo if you'd like a preview of the effect.
I hope that this is of some assistance.
Cheers
DC