Hello all, recently I was looking for some semi-gloss grey paint. I couldn’t find it at my LHS (or anywhere else). What I was going to do was to take a 1/4 oz bottle of Testors gloss white and a 1/4 oz bottle of Testors flat black to make the semi-gloss grey.
The staff at the LHS that I go to suggested instead of mixing black and white get grey that I should mix flat grey and gloss grey to get the semi-gloss grey, instead of mixing white and black to get the grey.
Why are semi-gloss finishes so hard to find, and what is the best way for one to make their own semi-gloss paint?
Use Testor’s/ Model Master Clear semi-gloss or satin finish lacquer over any color coat of paint. Comes in rattle cans and bottles (for airbrushing.)
If you have an airbrush there are two different ways of doing a semi-gloss paint. If you put a very heavy, wet coat of flat paint it will go semi-matt. On the other hand, a very dry, thin coat of gloss paint will go down semi-matt, especially if you crank up air pressure a bit.
Another way to go is to overcoat. Several brands of clear polyurethane varnish come in semi-gloss and these can be thinned and airbrushed. They are compatible with most types of model paint.
Gunze has a whole line of paints in semi-gloss. Both Mr. color and the Aqueaous kind, with all the standard military grays. Otherwise just spray a semi-gloss clear over any flat gray.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Right now I’m without an airbrush, but the rattle can approach is a good idea.