the color of rope

[peterairfix]

I have just started a revell hms victory but what would be the best color for rope,i do use alot of humbrol any help is welcome.

Cheers peter t

[Alan 45]

For rope I use earth brown by revell I think it's as close as you can get

[Guest]

Rope in the 18th century would be made of Hemp, jute, sisal etc so would be a tan colour, but don't forget that through use the rope would become dirty in areas from sailors hands and the goose fat they used as a grease on pulleys would soak in and retain the grime.

[eddiesolo]

Hi Peter, for an aged look you can use tea to stain the ropes, you want a more beige look, or mix light brown and white to achieve a look, once done the best method is to paint on and smooth in your fingers by running along, once the paint starts to thin add another blob and rework along the length. Ropes where stored in the air to dry off to stop rot and once dry and checked for splitting there is a section on the ship just for the ropes.

Si

[Guest]

For info ... Another reason they air dried rope was if the rope was wound tight then with the rope containing 'cotton' based components it could start to heat up in the centre if left for a decent amount of time and could spontaneously combust.

We had a few rolls of cotton fabric go up in the dyehouse I worked at that were rolled wet.

If you want to try an experiment then get an old cotton T-shirt ... Wet it and then fold it and roll it up tightly ... Leave it for a day (in a safe place) and then unroll it and feel how warm it is in the centre.

[Guest]

If you go here:

http://www.miskinmodels.co.uk/

Miskins have basically got it spot on. Fixed rigging is generally very dark as it would traditionally be covered in tar. Consequently all stays, shrouds braces etc, should all be done in a heavier black rope. Running rigging however is untreated so is very light in colour and generally a lot thinner in diameter to enable it to go through blocks and be tied off and handled.

The other beauty of Miskin's rope is that it is properly wound so really looks like a perfect scale rope. This does have a disadvantage though of allowing it to unravel if you don't glue it together. So a spot of cyano is needed to seal the end while you work it.

[Guest]

Didn't know there was a difference in fixed and running rigging Richard, thanks for the info and for the site link ... Cheap postage eh?