I am building the out of production Nichimo Cessna 172. I have completed the engine and interior and I am now ready to paint the exterior. I would like to bring out the panel line and rivet details on the white finish. I would like the exterior look more realistic than a monochrome gloss white. I still want the plane to look new rather than weathered.Could an experienced modeler give me some advice?
Well, you could first throw down a layer of gloss coat, to seperate your paints. Then mix up a light-to-medium grey and try that. Depending on your paint preference, you might be able to carefully remove this if it does not work well.
Alternatively, you could match a spare part to your model’s scheme, and attempt the wash there so as to leave your project safe from harm if you don’t like it.
Further, on the finish question:
Since you are going for a new look, and the wash/weathering is really more about shadows and popping detail, you might consider glossing everything when you are satisfied with the look. This will seal it all together, and ensure that the ‘weathering’ doesn’t stand out, or be mistaken for, actual weathering.
Thanks for the reply Chimera. Lets see if I have this right from your advice and ready other forum entries. (1) I plan on using a gloss white enamel for the base coat. (2) Cover base coat with Future for an acrylic finish. (3) Use a grey wash to highlight panel lines and rivets. (4) Top coat with Clear gloss (or maybe semigloss) because real aircraft do not have a high gloss finish. How does that sound?
I don’t know about that, my dad’s Bonanza and Swift have very glossy finishes.
Just be sure to use a water base paint for your wash (Tamiya, etc). If you don’t like it, before it dries, wash it off with soap & water. If dry, try rubbing alcohol. Shouldn’t hurt the coat of Future, since household ammonia is used to remove that.
Mate,
I can assure you, these full sized planes DO have a glossy finish…if a GA (general aviation) a/c does not have a gloss finish, then it’s not being maintaned properly.
I’ve built this kit - a great big thing - 1/20th scale or something…I painted mine with gloss white enamel - and then used a mid to light grey water based acrylic wash on the 9 million rivet holes and panel lines…not too dark…it’s very easy to wipe excess acrylic from an enamel gloss coat.
You have to watch out using Future over enamel if you’re planning to use an acrylic wash…the acrylic thinners (often an isopropyl alcohol base) can eat Future.
If you Future the gloss enamel, then use an enamel wash, or better yet, an oil based wash.
Works every time.
Going over a gloss white with any clear coat can go yellow with time. Happens on airliner models a lot. It really is unusual for a civil aircraft to have weathering as most are hangared, and get repainted about every 7 years on average. Most that look weathered are either unairworthy or crop dusters!
Try using watercolours for your washes.
They won’t affect any underliying paint, and if you dont like them can be washed straight off.
I’d be inclined to highlight the lines around hatches, ie engine access, doors etc, with a dark brown/black wash to simulate the shadow of the recess behind, with a light grey wash to the rest of the surfaces.
Karl
Thanks to all of you for your great advice and quick response. I think I am ready to tackle the exterior detailing. I have spent two years, (on and off), superdetailing the engine and interior of this kit and I hope the finished product adequately reflects the effort.