I am building an ME109, Tamiya 1:48. It shows three colors, I have the three german grey-blue type paints. That is not the issue.
The top of the plane appears solid. The underwing and bottom fuselage again are solid, different shade of grey. The middle is this mottled spotty color. How do you apply this? It almost looks like paint on a cotton ball effect. I have a badger airbrush, the simple one, not the dual setting. Do you airbrush this after you mask the top and bottom? By the way, what do you use to mask normally. Finally, what is Kleer coat and how is it used? Why and when do you use it? Sorry, but I am not new but I am trying to sophisticate my newer projects.
Hopefully these pics can help you out. I did these by painting the dark color first. I did this because it’s easier to mask the darker color that try to mask the lighter color. It’s what we call the 109 deilema.
The first pic is with airbrushed mottle camo. this is acchived by spraying light “hits” of the darker color over the lighter color. Use a fine tip on your airbrush with low pressure and at very close range to the model.
The second pic is handbrushed mottle camo. In reality it was applyied with a stubble brush. So I took an old brush and cut it down to about 3/32" and did a sloppy dry-brushed job.
Let me know if this works for you.
Bernie the K.
St. Paul, MN
Now I’ll answer your other questions. A “Gloss” clear coat is used to prevent the decals from silvering after they have been applied. After you paint the model apply a gloss clear coat using a model paint clear spray or using Future floor polish or Johnson’s Kleer depending which side of the ocean you’re on. Apply your decals. Then finish with a coat of “Flat” clear coat to dull the finish.
I use Tamiya masking tape to mask my models. what you’re looking for is a low tack masking tape such a draftsman’s tape so it won’t pull up that paint.
Bernie the K.
St. paul, MN
Berine,
Your photos are great. I’m working on the same bird and the info is going to come in handy.
Mike
if you go to http://www.aeromaster.com/ you can purchase german mottle masks made of metal …so they are re-usable
please explain the mottle masks. I went to the site and saw them. Are they stencils basically?
How set in stone are the camo patterns? Are these “standard” patterns that were “official” or is it like armor, if it looks good and might work, use it… specific guidelines not necessarily enforced.
Mike