Paint Pens (For Eyes, Windows on Ships, and Such)

[ElectricPaladin]

I'm looking for paint pens, the kind suitable for painting extremely small details on minis. I'm looking for a couple of colors (white and blue, to be specific). Can anyone point me in the direction of a good brand (links preferred).

[DeadPanda]

Tamiya do some paint pens I believe, never used them myself. I use a 000 series 7 brush for fine detail with paint thinned with a drying retarder.

[ElectricPaladin]

Tamiya do some paint pens I believe, never used them myself. I use a 000 series 7 brush for fine detail with paint thinned with a drying retarder.

Tamiya's a great brand, but a pain in the butt to find. No website of their own, which makes it hard to compare and contrast brands.

As for why I want to try paint pens, it's really for the windows on ships. I'm starting Firestorm Armada and I want to go back and improve my BFG. Look at the windows on a Star Trek external shot; I've found it really hard to get that squared-off look with a brush. My windows end up looking too rounded.

I'll dig around and see if I can't find somewhere that sells Tamiya near me/online. Anyone got any other recommendations?

[ElectricPaladin]

Scratch that, I was able to find Tamiya's US website (derp). I have a new problem now. Their paint pens aren't there. Maybe they don't exist anymore?

[ElectricPaladin]

Ok... eBay has come to the rescue. Or has it?

I was able to find [URL="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamiya-Paint-Marker-X-2-Gloss-White-89002-/400452629476"]this[/URL] and [URL="http://www.ebay.com/itm/TAMIYA-COLOR-Mini-4WD-Permanent-Paint-Marker-89203-MP-3-Blue-MODEL-KIT-TOOLS-NEW-/271003572947?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3f19125ad3"]this[/URL], but I can't tell if the tips are tiny enough for my purposes. Am I going in the right direction here?

[DeadPanda]

I'm not sure, but the description says gloss, it also states its good for general painting of wood, metal etc. I think the nibs on these will be far too big.
Have you tried using modellers masking tape to get the hard edge you want ? Again tamiya I know do it, I use it all the time.

[ElectricPaladin]

I've got some of that stuff. The trouble is, I think getting a good mask on such a tiny surface would be really hard.

How about [URL="http://www.idgsupply.com/item-detail/04861596876_markal_paint_markers_fineline_precisio n_color_green_markalproline?c1=GAW_SE_NW&source=PL A_USA&kw=IACF1J4CDS3R04861596876&cr6=pla&utm_sourc e=GAW_SE_NWPLA_USA&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=all_pro ducts&cr4=eCommerce__-__PLAs__-__All_Products&mm_campaign=2d1af69afdb99cb3d6ff512 fc3dcc96b&keyword=all_products"]these guys[/URL]? They promise 1mm and 2mm tips available.

[Iceman]

What about using Sharpie permanent markers. They make them in various colors with tips as small as .005 (I use them for eyes and small writing for my 40K models).

[DeadPanda]

I reackon they are worth a go, not too expensive either. Just keep the nib clean as I would think that at that size they could clog quite easily. Icemans sharpie idea is a good one too.

[Deathscythe91]

You can try Gundam Markers. I have used several efficiently. Lots of colors to choose from.
[URL="http://robot4less.com/modeling-supplies/gundam-marker"]http://robot4less.com/modeling-supplies/gundam-marker[/URL]