Precision Panel Liners from AK Interactive
Timothy @ SuperModels here with one I’ve been waiting on for a while, the new Precision Panel Liners from AK Interactive.
For some time, I’ve been looking for a solid alternative to Tamiya’s Panel Liner range. Part of that is down to supply issues, my Tamiya distributor isn’t able to import these products, and I’m still not entirely sure how some other retailers manage to bring a wide selection into the country. More importantly, though, AK have genuinely got it right with this range, not just as a substitute, but as a product that stands on its own merits.
These panel liners are enamel based and perfectly pre-thinned, removing a lot of the guesswork that comes with mixing your own. The formulation is designed to take full advantage of capillary action, allowing the paint to flow cleanly along panel lines without flooding them or staining large surrounding areas.
The flow is smooth and predictable, making it easy to control even on fine surface detail. One of the standout features is the long, highly pointed brush that carries a surprisingly generous amount of paint while still maintaining excellent control.
During testing on bare plastic, the liner flowed straight into recessed detail with minimal spill. Small amounts of excess paint were very easy to clean up using a cloth or swab. For this test, I deliberately used kitchen towel due to its absorbency, wanting to see if the paint would wick back out of the recesses, but it didn’t. Once the liner settled, it stayed exactly where it was supposed to.
As with any enamel-based panel liner, surface preparation matters. When applying over paint, the best results come from a smooth surface with a slight gloss finish, which really helps the capillary action do its job.
It’s also important not to overapply. Enamel thinners in products like this can activate or weaken glue joints, damage ABS parts, or pool in hidden areas on complex builds like Gunpla, where it may attack the plastic over time
Take it slow, apply sparingly, and allow the liner to work naturally. With a bit of patience, you’ll be rewarded with crisp, clean panel definition that truly makes surface detail pop.
AK Interactive’s Precision Panel Liners are a well thought out, high quality tool, and available at SuperModels for £4.99 each in seven usual colours. Highly recommended.
