I’ve been searching all over the internet for an answer to this question, but have not really found anything solid to go with. I plan on building a racing aircraft with a glossy yellow finish (1/48 Hellcat). I will be using acrylic paints (Model Master) and will be painting with an airbrush. I have two basic questions. First, what is a good primer for this? I’ve seen gray, but many say flat white; second, should I spray flat or gloss yellow over this? If flat, I would guess I would use something like Future to coat over the yellow to really shine it up.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
I do like white primer under yellow. I use Krylon primer, and their white primer is not nearly as full-bodied as their gray. So if the seams still need work, or there are any scratches I use the gray primer first, then a coat of the white primer. If the model is really ready for color without any surface work, and I only need the primer for paint adhesion, I use the white primer right off.
Whether to use a gloss clearcoat or not depends on what era racer. Modern racers are really high gloss, but for golden age racers (pre-WW2) I think a glosscoat is too much and just try to get a shiny but not super wet look finish. For those I only use a clearcoat if the decals seem to need an overcoat.
I used flat white primer followed by a gloss yellow on my Seaview sub and all came out well.
BTW, gloss yellow has been one of the most difficult colors I’ve ever used. It just doesn’t seem to cover well and so you eventually have a really thick layer of yellow paint that is easily scratched and/or marred.
Take your time and use several thin layers, almost just a misting. Make sure the paint is thoroughly dry before the next coat is applied. This might have to be done over many days as yellow paint also seems to take longer to dry than most other colors.
Also be sure to cover the model between coats as dust, hair, fibers, etc will really show on a light colored glossy surface.
I use a flat white primer for Yellow, Red or Orange,then color coats of a Flat version of the same color I want to be gloss,if I am worried about coverage, I use two flat coats
then when I am ready for it, I cover the Flat Yellow with the Gloss Yellow I want to end up with,painting the Gloss over the Flat gives me less total coats than just trying to hammer enough Gloss coats down to get good coverage
and most of the time, I can get a good finish on an aircraft model by just Gloss coating over the Flat color paint. I wouldn’t try to get a “model car quality gloss finish” that way, but, for the tail stripe on an aircraft, it works okay
I read a tip in FSM that adding a drop or two of gray into white paint helps it cover better without noticeably altering the color, if you have paint to spare it might be worth a try with yellow.
Either way I would use a white primer. Testor’s makes a flat white enamel, and I think Tamiya makes an acrylic. Also, if you want a super gloss look, Alclad gloss lacquer is supposed to give a really wet look, and you could polish the paint before reaching that point. Good luck!