Okay, so I’m about to try my first NMF and im a bit scared and confused.
My main question is what to do with the decals. I understand you can apply them directly to the paint (I will be using Alclad II and MM Metalizers) without any adverse effects, right? But will solvaset hurt the paint? Or should i play it safe and apply Future before the decals?
Also, what about a flat coat? Would applying the flat coat drastically change the sheen of the paint? The only reason i ask is because of the decals. Shouldn’t they have a flat finish? Any help is appreciated.
I’m currently doing a P-51 which is my first NMF as well so i’m playing it safe, i tested the allcad II over the gloss black undercoat and i cracked up badly but it held when sprayed over an undercoat of future so thats how i did it…Within an hour of putting down the white aluminum i gave it a coat of future to protect the surface, i don’t want to risk any paint coming off when i mask up for duraluminun and black and i won’t risk any decal silvering…Being a novice with NMF the only advice i can give is to test everything on an old junker model to avoid nasty suprises…
here is my current build…
Don’t use a solvent if you don’t need to. Typically NMF as super smooth which means the decal will lay flat and snug. Unless your model has some deep recessed or raised panel lines, you probably won’t need a solvent to get the decal to contour to them. If you do use it sparingly and only on the decal. Have a Q-Tip handy to soak up any excess not on the decal.
Try before you apply…that is paint a test mule or part of one with a shot of the paint you are using. Let it cure, then take a decal out of the spares stash and see how it applies and what effects solvents have on the paint.
I know it is easy to ask will this work or will this not work, but as the old Russian proverb says: Trust but verify! Just because something might have worked once for someone, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to reproduce the same results…STUFF HAPPENS! Build your experience level and skill sets by experimentation…its part of the FUN of scale modeling. Assemblers disregard this paragraph. [:P]
Thanks for the help fellas. [Y] And BTW, the mustang is looking top notch!