I am returning to modeling after a 19-20 year lay off. I started with a Revell Devastator but made far too many mistakes and put it in the “let’s experiment with techniques” pile. I’m now working on a 1:48 P-51. So far it has been a joy and I’ve learned a ton.
After priming with Mr Surfacer 1200, I’m ready to paint. Directions call for a silver body with some Olive Drab. My question is what is a good way to do the silver? Should I just use the MM Enamel or look into something more. I think there is some MM Bare Metal lacquer which I have no experience with. Also, do I just do a strsight shot of silver or do I lay down some black on the panel lines? I know these are loaded questions, but I’m curious. And whatever I do I’ll build on with my next planned build, a Revell F-84 Sabre Dog.
There are a number of ways of doing NMF. I recently started useing Alclad, which is a laquer. It leaves a really nice finish when done right, but can take some practice. I have done 3 so far, and still have a way to go. If you do use a Laquer, at least Alclad, many lay down a gloss black base first, i use enamel.
But hopefully thsoe with more experiance may be able to help better than i.
Thanks for the input. I’ve ordered some Alclad paints. I will definitely hit it with an undercoat of glass black first. I’ve handled the model since priming and I’m sure there are fingerprint oils all over it. Should I just swab microfiber dampened with rubbing alcohol to get the oil off?
I’ve used Alclad twice. Once with good results and one with horrible results. Please note that I am only relaying my own experiences and thoughts on the matter so please take it for what it’s worth. I’m not an overly huge fan on having to lay down a base coat before putting down the Alclad. For me, it’s just one more thing that I have to worry about coming out perfectly. It’s an extra step that I can screw up.
People are right, though, in that if it’s done right (or like me, “get incredibly lucky”), the outcome can be phenomenal. And it’s as hard as nails, too! It’s tough stuff that hands up to lots of handling. On my first Alclad-finished model, it was stunning. On my second model finished with Alclad, it was a disaster.
I then finished another model using a couple of shades of Floquil. One was “old silver” and I think the other one was called “silver mist”. These went on beautifully!!! Smooth as silk. Went on like butter (I remember this from back in the days when I used to paint my models with butter).
I was happy with the outcome of both the Alclad and the Floquil but, for me, all the prep work needed for the Alclad just left me with too many ways to screw it up. I could be a little less careful with the Floquil and still get a stellar result.
Platinum Mist is the other color. These are what I use for natural metals. They also stand up well to handling and give some variety of tone. Also less prep work
I bought some Floquil and some Alclad and, after priming with Mr Surfacer 1200 (and wet sanding smooth), I hit the fuselage with Floquil Old Silver. This is my first kit in about 20 years and I wanted to just get my feet wet so avoided Alclad and the black undercoat. The paint seems to have gone down very well. I do see some dust and tiny hairs here and there. What is the best way to get rid of them? I’m thinking let the paint set up over night and sand them out before going back over with more Floquil? After that I plan to mask off some panels and hit them with Platinum mist.
I’ve done a couple of NMFs with pretty good results. I’ve had dust and/or lint in my primer and final finishes during the painting process, too. I’ve been able to remove them by gently wet sanding with 3000 or higher grit sheets or pads. Wet sanding helps avoid major gouges in the underlying primer and/or paint. After the imperfections have been removed, simply mist the primer or paint back over the spot for total coverage.
If you’re interested, let me know and I can share my NMF technique with ya.
How’s the progress coming on your build? I thought I’d include a picture of my F-89 using Old Silver and Platinum Mist. I really liked the subtle tones those two colors gave. They really worked well together. I think I used that blue painter’s tape you see in the hardware stores. The Floquil paint did not lift off and, to be on the safe side, I reduced the tackiness of the tape by sticking it to my fingers a few times before I masked off the panels.
Pete, I’ve been using Alclad II for years and its wonderful stuff. Here’s a tutorial on how I accomplished a NMF on a recent P-47N. Its at the bottom of the first page.
Thanks for the two latest posts. I’m finishing up laying down the base with Floquil Old SIlver. After the first try I found some dust and lint and wet sanded it out with 3000-4000 grit sanding pads. Second attempt yielded far less lint and dust. Hopefully the third time will be the charm. Originally, I was only going to go in and spray a few panels with Platinum Mist, but now that I’m getting the hang of it, I may hit additional panels with some Alclad I bought. This is going from, “Let’s get this kit finished and move on,” to “Let’s keep experimenting with paints to see what happens.” I’m learning a lot and really appreciate the help you all have given so far. Heckuva lot better than a book or magazine.
Finishing up the P-51, hopefully this week. I hit the control surfaces with Alclad Duraluminum and the panels containing the exhaust manifolds with Alclad Magnesium. It took me three times to get the nose cone correct, but that’s done. So now I’m decaling. I may or may not weather after. This kit is just my first after 20 years so I just want to complete it and move on : )
Hopefully pics will go up this week. I do have a Sherman up in the armor section that came out pretty good.
Well, I kinda sorta finished the P-51. This is not exactly a tale of woe, but it’s not a happy ending either. I put down the Floquil Old Silver and touched it up a few times getting rid of stray pieces of lint that settled into the paint. Then I hit the control surfaces with Alclad Duraluminum. Finally, for the hell of it I tried some Platinum Mist on some wing panels. It all came out nice for a first time. The kit was then hit with Future and decals were laid down. Two had some minor issues, but nothing awful. And that’s where I should have left well enough alone. [:P] I decided to try and emphasis the panel lines with a sludge wash. Problem was when I laid the wash down I forgot to add a couple of drops of dish soap. Ouch. I tried to clean it up with some thinner on a Q-Tip and that did help a bit, but not enough. And then the final straw was snapping some landing gear off while trying to “save” the model. It as at that point I decided I had learned enough from this kit and it was time to move on. And I did learn a ton from my mistakes and I’m ready to transfer that leaning to another build. Here are a few lousy pics of the kit after the paint and decals but before the sludge. Thanks again for all who offered advice. Keep it coming. ~Pete
