I have a 1/72 scale Hercules that I will be painting white so I can finish it as a USCG HC-130 (all white with international orange markings) and I have some questions about which white is best to use to get good coverage without coating 132 times [banghead].
In the past I have painted mostly small parts using gloss white which I find does not cover very well and requires numerous coats before the plastic part color is hidden. I have done this with both spray cans as well as brush paint. I am not even sure if I have ever used flat white for anything. I am not worried about flat versus gloss finish since the finished kit will get the obligatory coat of Future for decaling and then I may or may not cover with dull cote.
In addition, if I was to prime the plastic, what would be a good primer color - Testor’s gray primer or Tamiya’s white primer - I have both!
Just wondering if anyone else has had experience with this and look forward to your comments. Given that my Herc is going to be fairly large when built, I want to give it a good coat of white paint with fewer number of coats than to spray it 132 times and have a blob!
What Gerald said, only I prime with Tamiya AS-12 Bare Metal Silver first, then hit with one coat of flat white before putting on the gloss white. The silver give the white an additional boost of reflection and brightens the whole paint job. Works well under yellow, too.
You will still have to do more than one coat of white.
Thanks guys…it would seem that flat white has better coverage than gloss especially on inital costs. The silver undercoat is also intriguing…I may try that. I was thinking a light grey primer may work but could definately see the silver really enhancing the job. I may try some test on a bit of scrap before I commit a gallon and a half of paint to the Herc [:D]