Monday, July 2, 2018

A glossy scale model paint job is really, really hard to achieve

I thought I was a pretty good model maker. I've been doing it for a loooong, long time. I thought I knew how to paint models. But I was wrong.


You see, I normally paint tanks and aircraft, and I likes me some weathering. My absolute favourite subject is something that is beaten up, dirty, rusty and semi-derelict. That's perfect for tanks and sci-fi. Even my aircraft are fairly weatherbeaten and well-used - no factory fresh machines for me.

Which is why, when it came time for me to paint the glossy paintwork of the Sand Scorcher, I completely ballsed it up.

On a tank, if you screw up a section of paintwork, you can always hide it with mud, or dirt, or stowage. On a glossy car, if you screw up a section of the paintwork, there is nowhere to hide.

On Saturday I thought I would paint the white basecoat of the Scorcher. I grabbed my rattlecan of Tamiya TS-26 Pure White and went to the backyard. It was a little windy. I went ahead with it anyway, because it is Winter here in Australia at the moment and I only get to airbrush or spraypaint on weekends, it's too dark and cold when I get home from work on weekdays.



I managed to get a lot of dust and grit in the paint. And then a bug flew into the side of the car, and got stuck in the paint. Let me give you some rookie advice: removing the bug with your thumb and then thickly spraying more paint on to cover the smear will not work. The prosecution presents Exhibit A.



I did a terrible, terrible job. Look at the massive blobs where I tried to cover up flaws...




And that is why the Sand Scorcher body is currently sitting in the laundry tub, coated in a thick layer of oven cleaner, waiting to have that first coat of white scrubbed away...




I have a newfound respect for automotive modellers. Those glossy cars are hard.

Cheers,

Dave

6 comments:

  1. I feel your pain. I've got to give a black F-82 Twin Mustang a gloss finish very soon and I'm dreading it. Come back, castor-oil and mud spattered WWI stringbags!

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    1. Heh heh, my next project is going to be a WWI plane - much more forgiving! I've got my hands on a Wingnut Wings kit - can't wait. Dave

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  2. I swear by Future floor polish when I want that sweet reflective finish. It does run if applied to wet but two or three light coats and you cant go wrong and the finish is durable, hard and ages really well.

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    1. Hi Kevin, I was planning to do a final coat of Future once I have decals on - definitely helps with gloss, and I hope it will protect a bit against stone chips and scratches. Thanks for confirming it for me, Dave

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  3. Can you get Future floor polish in Australia?

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    Replies
    1. I think it's pretty hard to find these days, but pretty much any clear floor polish will work in its place clogger.

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