I’ve already ended up trashing the kit I’m working on because it became impossible to recover from the disasterous paintjob. I painted with Tamiya XF-1 and that when on ok, but it’s when I got to the Future where everything went to heck in a handbasket. I tried every tip and trick I’ve read and all I got was an uneven, pebbly finish - even after shooting two coats, low and slow (7psi from 2") and even brushing on a coat after those didn’t work. Anyway, I recovered what assemblies I could and trashed the rest.
Here’s the finish I’m trying to match http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/photo/X-15/Large/EC65-900.jpg Notice, it’s not glossy, not flat and not even satin. It’s like a combination of all 3. XF-1 is too black and too flat. X-1 is tto black and too glossy. I need something that looks like a scale black, but will go on in a smooth, satin finish. I’m considering going rattle can on this one and maybe go with a krylon satin black. I can always post shade to lighten it up a little. But at least I know that windex won’t take it off if I screw up again.
I’m open to all suggestions, tips, trick hints ideas and I’ll even take prayers at this point, LOL.
So c’mon modeling geniuses, let me hear what you’ve got.
Sorry to hear of the disaster. You might want to look at Tamiya X-18 Semi-Gloss Black. It’s still a “solid” black though. but the finish is very nice.
I’ve never tried using Windex to clean up Tamiya - I usually use ethyl/denatured alcohol. No need for soaking, just a paper towel dampened with alcohol and the paint will just wipe straight off.
In the January 3, 2008 issue of FSM Matt Usher showed photos of the X-15 he built. He used Tamiya XF-1 and Future. After applying the decals he used a clear flat over the decals. You can find the article by typing X-15 in the search engine for the magazine. The finish he achieved is very close to the finish shown in the photograph you posted.
If it were up to me, I would mix several shades of black for your model. Add some grays, tans, even browns to get multiple hues on the finish. Mask between each, and then mask again after all is done and buff some panels more than others. Hope that helps!
The easiest way would be to spray the entire model Tamiya acrylic flat black. Mask the flat panels off and then spray a semi-gloss clear. Finally save any panels that contain decals for last, mask again panels you wish to remain semi-gloss and shoot the rest with future. Apply decals, protect with one last coat of future and remove masks to reveal the semi-gloss and flat panels. You could work the method opposite and start gloss working backwards, just it would involve more masking as the flat panels are the fewest from the picture you provided. [ap]Besides flat is always the best base coat of color to start on as it has more ‘bite’ than a gloss coat.
This is only possible with a air brush and light coats, my rattle cans wouldn’t cut this method as ridges would need sanding between panels, marring the effect.[^o)]
A few cents more…[2cnts] Some select gloss panels could be tinted future with Tamiya clear blue or smoke arcylic for variation and to break up the black, adding interest if desired.[H]
