Modelers, I’m using SNJ to due a NMF on an aircraft. I’ve always used varying shades by adding different amounts of black to the SNJ to pick out panels. What other colors could be added to give similar effects in this case?
Varying shades of grey. white, pale blue.
Thanks. I’ll just give em all a test and see what happens.
Since we’re on the subject, let me ask another question concering the idea of this technique. Would you alter panels in a totally random patteren? In other words, if you do one panel on one wing, would you want to do the same panel on the other wing as well? I seem to see many more examples of them being symetrical rather than random. At least when it come to wing panels. To me though, that doesn’t seem to make sense.
Brown also works.
One thing to keep in mind is that often, the different “colors” we see on panels are due to the fact that those panels have a microscopic “grain” like wood. I’m not a metalurgist, but partly it’s caused by the rolling process, and by the polishing process, and anything else that is done to make the metal flat, or maleable or smooth. So, the metal is often perceived as having a “color” based on the direction from which the light is shining on it. In other words, you can see a light-colored panel by looking at it into the sun, and a the same panel will turn dark by standing down-sun from it. How is it possible to make this matter in the least to a modeler?
When you buff it, and that applies to SnJ as well as weakass, delicate Metalizer – try only buffing in one direction on some panels, and on the adjacent panel, buff it perpendicularly to the other panel. Then take a flash picture from two different angles and you’ll be amazed.
But, more practical and to the point, I’ve heard, and then discovered, that in laquer based metalic finishes like SnJ, as well as Testors Metalizer, a few drops of ink in black and the darkest blues has a really nice effect on the finishes, giving you subtle changes in shade, and you don’t have to worry about it ruining the expensive bottle of metal finish like you do with paints. Take a look at the December issue of SAM to help with your question about whether panels on both sides should be painted the same shade. A build feature on the Eduard Mirage III has a diagram showing how different shades of Alclad “metal” were used on every last panel. Different panels have different functions and are made of different metals of varying thickness, from wafer thin to inches thick. Look how the metal that covers the wing spars is always darker and less glossy than everything else. And the thick alloy covers over the gun muzzles on an F-86 and under the chin of an F-100 are markedly darker than the surrounding aluminum.
I just wish I was as good at producing metal finishes as I am at reading tons of articles about them. Truly, they who pull off dazzling metal finishes are as gods.
TOM