For the first time I am going to use Alclad II for a metal finish on a Ki-84.
What I picked up from the LHS is Alclad II black base. After reading some more, they talke about Alclad II black primer. - is these the same products (as I did not see the name primer on the shelf).
I also saw the Alclad II Black base & microfiller. I thought about that, but thought that would reguire a lot of sanding (at least more then the others). But is there an advantage to this product over the other Alclad primer?
Alclad black base gloss is a great product but takes time to dry. I typically use Tamiya gloss black as the base.
I have never had much luck with Alclad’s black base. Like Keavdog mentions, it takes time to dry. In my case, I waited about 3 weeks before giving up hope that it was ever going to dry completely. I tried several other gloss black base coats to put under Alclad, with MRP’s 2K Black giving the smoothest finish. But, three drawbacks to that, its a 2K paint (which kind of scare me now after doing research on them), it took about a week for it to fully cure, and it was actually a little too hard and glossy. The Alclad would flake right off of it. MRP’s regular gloss black lacquer was OK, but that dried a little too fast, and made it difficult to get a uniform gloss black. Finally tried Tamiya’s LP-1 gloss black lacquer, and that was the winner. Dries quickly, but slowly enough to get a good, uniform gloss.
I don’t like the Alklad stuff. Like John, Testors Gloss Black.
I find any compatible gloss black is okay. I have used Testors gloss and Tamiya Gloss Black Lacquer with good results. I also have used various primers under the black undercoat. A secret for Alclad is to cut way back on the flow and slowly build up the finish.