Painting and decaling

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I’ve got a question for you all about the process of painting and decals. My latest project is done in terms of basic painting, and now it’s time for the decals. When you are at this stage, do you paint the model with clear gloss, and how long do you let that dry? My experience with clear is with car models, using enamel, and that takes forever to dry–do you use something else? My project is painted with acrylic enamel, so is it possible to use some sort of clear lacquer? Once the decals are applied, how long do you wait to cover the model with flat clear? I guess what I need to know is what materials you use, and the periods of time between steps. Thanks,

Jim

2

Handpainting or airbrushing ? If you are handpainting,Future floor polish is a tough acrylic sealer which hand brushes well because of its leveling properties.You can also use a rattlecan clear gloss if it’s big areas.For airbrushing,Testors,Modelmaster,and Vallejo make Clearcoat for airbrushing.

Drying times depend on what you use.

Also further down you have the Decaling Section or the Painting Section for this type of question.

3

I always paint with acrylics. I’ve used future and model master acryl gloss to prepare for decals. I usually let dry overnight. I apply the decals with microset the next day let dry. The following day I hit it with model master acryl flat. May be a bit of an overkill between steps, but it seems to work for me.

4

Tojo: I’m painting with a brush, or a spray can. I do not have an airbrush. I’ve looked for Future before, but with no luck. Can you describe what the product looks like? And you’re right, I should have posted this in another section…I’ll do that shortly. Thanks

5

Tigerman: are you using an airbrush or a brush? I don’t have an airbrush, so I’m limited to brushes or spray cans. I’m tempted to try the MM acryls with a brush.

6

I only use AB’s. I suspect it will work with brushes. Try it on a scrap piece of plastic or an old build first.

7

Future has been renamed to Pledge Floor Care Multisurface Finish. The product itself is apparently unchanged.

Craig

8

It is absolutely unnecessary to coat an entire model in gloss just to place a few decals on it. If you don’t have an airbrush, just brush on a bit of gloss and place your decal over it a few hours later. Then you can flatcoat it and be done with it. DO NOT try to brush lacquer over any kind of paint. Its solvents are far too volatile to brush. Use Model Master acrylic gloss and you won’t have any problems whatsoever.