djellis10

In being my first time i am after some advice about what finishing cote i should use for my Airfix 1/24 spitfire to give overall finish and make applying decals more easier. Is there brands that most people swear by. Would it be better to get a matte finish for my spit of a semi gloss. Any recommendations and advice would be grateful. Thanks

jspitza

Hello:
I love my planes in a semi gloss BUT in service usually flat-sometimes dead flat. Some folks have also used a t shirt to buff the flat finish and give it a slight sheen. Always use a high gloss coat first before decal! They need a slick surface to slide around on and maneuver-they will tear very fast when you try this over a flat surface. Good luck!

Bunkerbarge

The best sequence is to apply a gloss coat in the areas where the decals are to be placed such as Johnsons Kleer, which is basically a gloss acrylic clear coat, then after the transfers and any weathering techniques are applied over spray the entire model with a matt coat such as humbrol's enamel matt coat. A number of these can be purchased in mini spray tins, making them very convenient but I do find that the best matt finish is from the enamel tinlets applied with your own airbrush.

For an aircraft in active service during the war I would want as matt a surface as possible but an aircraft in use in peace time I might want a slightly more satin sheen

__________________

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

djellis10

Hi Richard
Thanks for the advice. I took you method on board try it and it worked for me brilliantly. I think i shall use this method again in the future. Again thanks for your wisdom and i shall be posting pics of the spitfire soon.
Adam