Painting question

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

I just wanted to make sure that I have the process down for paiting our kit. Please let me know if I am missing a step.

  1. Primer

2.Pre shade

  1. Base coat

  2. Decal

  3. Weaher/wash

Now here is where I get confused. After applying the base coat, do I seal the plane with a clear coat? And if I use a water base acrylic paint, what should I use for the seal and wash? Oil or acrylic. What is the diff between using lacquer, enamal, and acrylic paints? Seals etc.

Thanks,

D.

2

Between steps 3 and 4, you should apply an overall gloss coat for decal application. Then apply another gloss coat over the dried decals. Then weather and wash. Then a final flat clear coat. You should use an acrylic for the clear coat if you used acrylic paint. Your washes can either be water based or oil based. Some people swear by oil washes over acrylics but I never tested my luck with it. I use strictly water based washes. The difference between using the three types of paint is purely preference. However, each type has their own behavior and characteristics. Lacquers are used more for automotive finishes and natural metal finishes. Enamels and acylics are used more for military modeling (gloss and flat). Use whatever you are comfortable with and get the best results.

Hope this helps…

Andy

3

Is there a particular reason for using another layer of gloss coat over the decals? I planned on using a base gloss coat for my decals, but once they were set, I planned on using all flat coat from that point on. Couldn’t one just use flat coats over dried decals? Any reason not to do this?

4

Thanks Andy.

5

I think the reason he said, a “gloss coat” over the decals is because most of us use Future floor polish as our gloss coat for decaling. The Future over the decals will give the finish a tougher coat than flats will in my opinion as well as being much cheaper to spray.

After 24-48 hours I then spray my flat coat (PolyScale Flat Finish) over the entire model.

6

Ok this may sound stupid, so bear with me.

I think we will use acrylic for the base coat. Then seal it with an enamel clear coat(gloss). Decals. Then apply acrylic paint as a wash thinned with alchohol or H2O. Then dry brush with acrylic. But I have read that washes and bry brushing in oil base is better. How can I do this? Won’t the thinner from the oil base ruin my paint job? And if I do use oils, what can I use to seal the plane when done? What is Future???

Thanks again,

D.

7

I don’t know much about Future either, but it appears to be a floor wax/treatment liquid:

http://www.floorcareproducts.com/floor-finish/index.asp

Apparently it leaves a gloss finish and is pretty tough/durable.

I’m doing some research right now on these forums to learn more.

8

So let me get this right. You guys are using floor polish called Future. The stuff I got from WalMart. Can I spray this with a air brush or can I use a brush?

Thanks,

D.

9

Actually, the product formerly known as Future is now known as Pledge With Future Shine

Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Matt Swan: http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

10

Great link.

I have read up on this Future product. After I paint the model in acrylic paint, apply the Future to it, and lay on the decals; can I use the Future again to set the decals. Should I use a setting soulution? How many coats of Future can I use without a wax build-up? I still want to apply a flat base sealer???

Thanks,

D.