Hi All, I’m Rob from the UK. Been modelling on and off for 27 years now, mainly aircraft.
Current themes are prototypes, development and Flight Test machines as well as special paint scheme jets.
Looking to improve my results through the wealth of knowledge and experience you folks must have!
First question, how to acheive a realistic looking gloss white finish on smaller parts like undercarriages? I usually end up putting about 5 or 6 coats of white on and the parts almost double in diameter due to the thickness of the paint. Is there a really neat priming trick that anyone can fill me in on?
Welcome to the FSM community modeling forum(s) … you have joined up with the right group to get help with all your modeling problems/ideas.
As to your painting question … I have had good luck with that type of painting by being sure that I have used a good primer before I shoot my color coats. An airbrush really helps in getting good thin coats of paint down onto your subject … just an idea … good luck and again welcome!
Welcome, Rob
I’m sure you can find answers for about everything on this site. As for the painting, I agree with Freedom Eagle on the primer coat. I use Tamiya paints and airbrush flat white, followed by a coat of Tamiya gloss. It works out well.
Regards, Dan
Dan has the right idea … sometimes a flat white or flat gray works as good or better than the primer for that type/brand of paint. Always seemed to me that … if you didn’t have a problem getting the color coats to stick … you didn’t need the “teeth” of a regular primer.
Welcome to FSM Rob. There’s lots of good modellers here who are more than willing to help you improve some of those techniques. Can’t answer your first question though, being an armour builder, there’s nothing glossy by the time I’m done.
Hi Rob, and welcome to the FSM Forums. Glad to see you here. As for your white problem, spray your parts with Halfords’ white plastic primer. Works really well.