i’m finally taking the leap to acrylics–(see link)-- do i need to prime before applying these paints ? Ideally , I’d like to take care of darkening recessed panel lines and prime at the same time–any advice appreciated !
BTW this is for a Tamiya FW 190 A3
Dog - yeah I use those same paints… I prime with an enamel primer (Krylon or such) just enough to cover the plastic, the plastic will still show through. If you prime too heavy you will lose a lot of the surface detail.
Then in the case of preshading panel lines I would give it a light coat of the base coat, shade your panel lines then sucessive coats until you are satisfied. The other option would be to paint the base and any camo coats then do a wash to darken panel lines.
I think you will love the paints once you get used to them. It takes several coats to cover a model but once done the paint is very smooth and no detail is lost. And with priming I have never had the paint lift up on me with masking.
Good luck!!!
Tom-- I really appreciate the info-- can you specify the Krylon product you use(or similar)–are these good to spray as is or do you thin at all? also , I assume the wash is w/ enamel (wipe w/ enamel thinner?)–Finally, can you give guidance on use of Future coat(s) & mattcoat? whew!
sorry for all the basic questions–just got the paints in the mail, itching to use them.
Thx & Regards,
Dog
Dog - just plain white krylon primer. There are some modeling types out there but I kept forgettting to buy them so tried the Krylon and am happy with the results. (you can get it at Wal Mart etc…) I just spray it out of the can. Again, just a nice light coat to cover the model. You don’t want to make it white, just enough to give the paint something to hang on to. (it will look a little splotchy and the plastic shows through)
as far as weathering AFTER the paint this site by a member here, Swanny says it all!
http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html
http://www.swannysmodels.com/Weathering.html
You should either future or gloss coat your model prior the decals, then wash and weather it. then future again and dull coat. (the same Future Floor polish you find at the grocery store)
Are you airbrushing these paints or hand brushing?
I’m using an ancient Badger airbrush(circa 1988)–similar to the 200 or 200 NH --I’ve had mixed results with it – would a testors flat white enamel spray work as well as the krylon? also , I have Microscale ‘Super Flat’ – I read somewhere that it should be cut w/ Future (not sure of the ratio)to prevent a ‘dusty’ finish (which I have encountered using 100% Super Flat)
Appreciate advice on how to proceed re dull coat.
Much Thanks! --Dog
Dog - the flat white would help but I think the primer gives the paint a little something extra to bite into.
As far as the flat, I’ve never used that one but it sounds like Tamiya and a few other companies “Flat base” which needs to be cut. It it an acrylic or an enamel? If it is an acrylic you can cut it with Future floor polish per Swanny’s article from a few posts up.
—edit—
I read up on it some and it looks like it is ok to spray without cutting it, maybe you are spraying it too far from the model or at too high a pressure? you should see a wet spot where the acrylic hits the model. It shouldn’t go on “dry” straight from the brush. Try getting closer to the model and if that doesn’t work maybe reduce your pressure. (I use 15-20 psi with my Badger 155 for most paint)
—end edit—
Maybe someone more familiar with the product can give you a better answer though…
I’ve gotten good results with the Testors DullCote in the rattle can… Polly scale flat and some of the other acrylic flats work well as well.
Good luck!!
Thanks for your help Tom!!
no prob!!! good luck to you!!!
—edit—
let us know how you like those Color of Eagles paints when you do get some!
Oh yeah by the way, if you can find it, Vallejo thinner (the same company who makes the Color of Eagles line for the people in Miami) works WONDERS in thinning the paints… 1 drop for three drops of paint. It has a retarder and a bonding agent which not only reduces tip dry and allows the paint to settle down nice, but keeps it on the plastic instead of lifting up with any masking you are doing… just do a Google search for Vallejo thinner and you can order it form a lot of places online!