Hello;
I am working on the AM F3F-1 and have the fusalge painted with SNJ Aluminum. I have painted the bellyband in gloss true blue and the tail section in Willow Green. I have applyied the decal striping on the bellyband and cowl. My question is how do I retain the gloss of the blue bellyband and tail when I seal the decals on the aluminum painted fusalage. On the top wing I have used future to seal the decals because that is all gloss but on the fusalage you have two different tones the gloss and the aluminum. I have testors metalizer sealer will that retain the gloss of the band and tail?
Bill
Quite honestly, the metallizer sealer will retain the glossy appearance, but it will dull the aluminum, as this is what it says on the bottle. This causes it to become more gray, or dark in appearance than aluminum. On real planes the paint for the markers was always semi-gloss in appearance, except when they used flat for camoflage. This was to keep it from reflecting light in the sun making it harder for enemies to see, or shoot from above. A lot of these aluminum versions didn’t use flat since they were bright anyway. I wouldn’t worry about making the decals glossy, just put them on as you normally would - the film should have a semi-gloss appearance as the real thing does. I have a P51-B that I painted with non-buffable aluminum, and applied the decals as usual. This made it look just like the life sized version. I love its’ appearance. I just keep forgetting to post a thread about it.
~ Cobra Chris
Thanks for the quick reply. So you are saying you didnt put anything over your decals on your P51? I am glad to here the MM sealer will retain the gloss of the bands and tail.
Thanks Bill
That’s what I’m here for. I like to help, not impress my fellow modelers with something expensive like a toy, airbrush, or jibber-jabber. I didn’t use the metallizer at all on that model. The metallizer is an acrylic base, the same as what the metallizer sealer is. You just don’t want to use this stuff on metallic paints. If you still want to make the decals a little more reflective, you can still use the metallizer on the decals, just do it while they’re still on the decal sheet. Spray them with the metallizer sealer out of an airbrush, or lightly with a fine bristle brush.
~ Cobra Chris
Just brush a little Future over the decal itself to keep/make it glossy when your done.