Question about color of rigging wires

[Pgtaylorart]

I'm preparing my WnW DH.2 for rigging, ie. drilling holes, planting dozens of von Bobs eyelets, etc. I'm using Maxima Chameleon fishing line and a combination of von B buckles and Gaspatch turnbuckles. My question is, the Maxima fishing line is a dark brownish color and I'm assuming that the real rigging lines were metal wire and would be a silverish color. Should I color them silver? I have a silver Sharpie that could do the job, but I don't know what the real rigging looked like. Did it weather to a brownish color like steel does? Or did it stay bright and shiny? Or am I over complicating this and I should just leave the fishing line as is?

Thanks for any help.

George

[Ssasho0]

I have never seen a metal cable, that stays bright shining after some usage Usually they appear dark brown/blackinsh with silvery tint I'd say graphite like colour with brown wash, but thats just my 2cents.

[Des]

I use the same fishing line as you George, on some of my models I have left them the Chameleon colour but the majority of my models have the lines painted with Mr Metal Color Stainless, this paint can be left as a dull gray or buffed to a really nice sheen.

Des.

[lcarroll]

    I've converted to the Mr Metal Colour Stainless as well, and use Chamelion most of the time, lighter line for the control wires.
Both products get my vote! On the DH.2 George, I'd recommend a stretch type of line for the lattice section or it will turn into a warping nightmare! EZ Line or Modelkasten (the latter my preference) is the ticket, and still colours well with the stainless.
Cheers,
Lance

[Pgtaylorart]

Thank you all for the great advice. I have some Mr Metal Color Stainless and will use it on the rigging.

Lance, thanks for the tip on using elastic line on the lattice section. I have the standard and fine Uschi line. Probably the standard will work well for this.

I have 1 lb and 2 lb Maxima Chameleon. Just to be clear, I should use the 1 lb on all control lines and the 2 lb on everything else?

George

[lcarroll]

   I use the 2 lb. Chameleon (.005 inch) for rigging and have some lighter of another Brand, Dai-Riki at .003 inch and .004 inch that I like for control wires.
Cheers,
Lance

[Pgtaylorart]

Thanks again, Lance! You've been my technical director throughout this whole build. I owe you one, buddy!

George

[Des]

Just a word of caution George, when using the Mr Metal Color Stainless make sure you cover any painted surface (wings, tail etc) with paper to protect the surface from splatters, the Mr Metal paints are lacquer based and very thin so can splatter if not careful.

Des.

[Umlaufmotor]

Hi George,

I use a mixture approximately 85% Tamiya aluminum and 15% Tamiya NATO black, if the aircraft is to be represented relatively new (and mostly for the control cables).
The older I want to represent it, the more Nato black I use.

http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3901.0

[Pgtaylorart]

Thank you, Des and Bertl!

Bertl, your rigging tutorial is the most comprehensive I've seen. It answers all my questions and more. Thanks!

George

[Dave Brewer]

I use mono line,and being lazy I simply run a wide-tipped black Sharpie along lengths of it,followed lightly by a silver one to achieve a metallic sheen,before cutting and installing.Less nerve-wracking than risking slopping paint on painted surfaces,just the odd  retouch to manage.

[Pgtaylorart]

Don't forget that some French ones were blue

I'll throw a blue one in for the French and a red one in just for you, Red.

George