jspitza

Hello all:
A quick question about my current project-Silver enamel is being used, rustolium aluminum and when applied straight from the can@around12 psi, the finish just looked perfect. I’m building the new giant Zepplin from hawk and plan to hang it in our new baby’s nursery. Sorry, the Wife lost that one! Anyway, after a few layers in between 24 hour coats, I noticed that the beautiful “over the top” shine had diminished somewhat. Also, on my “final” coat I kinda hit the side with my hand and needed to up the psi to 20-25 psi for that extra oomph…. Now, even though the paint has dried and looks dam near perfect I went to use the Testors MM gloss enamel. Again, mixing with about 3 lacquer to 1 parts thinner @ 12 psi I now see a great even surface but no gloss. Am I to wet or dry sand this with my 3200 cloth? I don’t understand how the sheen has diminished even though I sanded between coats of paint then applied the gloss coat. Any thoughts? Thanks guys (again), Jeff

Bunkerbarge

Most silver paints are particles held in suspension in a carrier liquid. When the liquid evaporates and the paint dries you are left with the particles and pigments which can form quite a matt surface. Sometimes modellers want this but sometimes they want a gloss finish.

I would experiment off the model with very fine wet and dry, with a bit of warm soapy water before a final coat of a clear gloss coat. It might take a few coats of gloss to completely smooth over the finish. Have a look at the motorcycles in my gallery. The Harley was finished by first painting silver then covering it with Tamiya clear blue. It took five coats of the blue to give it a good gloss finish.

Don't forget though, a Zeppellin was an aluminium structure covered with cloth painted silver so although you will see a sheen to the surface it was not what you would describe as a high gloss. The straight silver paint might be a more realistic finish anyway.

__________________

“Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"

jspitza

Cool, Thanks Bunker............. Actually, I really think the finish I have now is pretty close but I really want that crazy shine. It's more for decoration and fun rather than realism. That thing looked pretty patched up and I don't want to scare the poor kid! So, maybe a few more coats then with a little rinse in between then. I can do this for sure!

rjwood_uk

hope you get the desired finish. make sure you get some pics up when its done!

__________________
...One finished model...5 O'Clock in the morning!

wonwinglo

Paint it silver then add Johnsons Klear/Future with a large mop brush,that will make it shine !

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

jspitza

Oh yeah............I do have 1 bottle of future left-this should be enough!
You know that this thing is 41 inches long, right? I've spent twice that of the model just in paint!

jspitza

Well, here she is! The mighty Zeppelin! This photo is also taken in our soon to be Son's nursery who should be here the Nov27th Wow, what a project but It looks pretty cool. It's probably not the most precise model but it has a lighted gondola and big decals. I finally found some paint that I loved-auto acrylic! It's GM standard silver with a gloss coat. It seems larger than life which is fine by us! Anyway, I can't thank this forum enough for your help, guidance and lessons that are so important to teach the little one. i think I'm a bit impatient, maybe a little frantic when it comes to building models but I'm really wanting to practice my teaching skills as I'll surly need em'. I think that this rushing also comes from needing a stress outlet because we are so.....close to the delivery (my Wife rather). OK, time to breathe and concentrate on my current project which is one of the revell uboats!!!

jspitza

Sorry, forgot to install the ispell plugin and these did not load!

Attached Images

	Picture_009.jpg (14.9 KB, 29 views)
	Picture_049.jpg (27.1 KB, 25 views)
	Picture_054.jpg (29.6 KB, 25 views)

maxidad66

Nice one Jeff. It's a smashing looking zep.

Good luck to you and your wife for the imminent new arrival.

Bunkerbarge

I think that's great. Most youngsters start off with a play school mobile above thier cots, your has a Zeppelin!! Brilliant.

As for the u-boat there are plentry of pictures and postings regarding that particular model on here, including my own build thread. Enjoy, it's a fantastic kit. Try to get it finished before the baby arrives though because you'll have no time afterwards!!

__________________

“Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"