1/72 Airfix Albatros DVa

[Swanningabout]

So I painted this gloss red because I didn't have flat or semigloss (Tamiya doesn't make semi-gloss apparently, and my local hobbyshop does not sell Acryl anymore -- or so the guy said) and thought I could dull it down with a clear coat of semigloss. I should have known. This has never worked before. Why would it now? If anything, the plane was even SHINIER than before. Then I tried a clear flat coat -- no difference at all.

I realize I am a barbarian who does not use an airbrush. But surely hand brushing should not be ENTIRELY useless. And I have tried thinning the clear coat, and painting with thicker or thinner coats. No difference. What is wrong?

Sorry to rant. But I am more than a little tired of having made dozens of models over the years and still struggling to do no better than your average 10 year old.

 

[Chris S]

What type of paint are you using ? What type of clear are you painting over it ? Are your paints mixed / stirred well ?
Brush painting will take you so far, but the best way to improve is to move to an airbrush if you can .

Chris.

 

[Swanningabout]

Tamiya paint and Tamiya clear. Both stirred very well. But I have had this same problem with Acryl as well. I try to use the same brand of paint and clear etc. on any given model because I have heard that mixing brands can cause problems (messed up a Zero fighter paint job this way once.) I have tried an airbrush in the past, and with good results. The problem is, they just are not any fun to use. They do give unquestionably better results, but I don't enjoy the process.

Thanks for answering.

 

[JMac]

Have you tried just spraying a clear semi gloss (from a can) over your current glossy finish? That will knock back the gloss. I'd wait until after you've finished your paint and decals however. I find Tamiya paints hard to apply with a brush.

And hand brushing works fine, if you're careful (and with practice) you can achieve some really nice results. If you're interested - I'll dig around and get you some links to stuff forum members have done that are brush painted.

That being said Chris is totally absolutely right; you can get a finer, smoother finish from an airbrush, still takes a little time and practice for that skill to develop also. But, if you don't have an airbrush, and don't foresee getting one in the near future - break out the brushes. If you're still not happy with the results, how about rattle cans?

J

 

[Swanningabout]

Thanks for the reply. I may have to use rattle cans after all. Nice of you to offer to get some links. Well, if you ever hear of a site that gives good advice on brush painting that would be very helpful. I do find that most advice has to do with airbrushes.

 

[Swanningabout]

After hopeless problems with the cabane struts while attempting to attach the upper wing, I smashed the sorry little Albatros with my fist and tossed it in the garbage. This is something I have rarely if ever done before, and feel a bit sorry for the poor thing. But enough is enough. Should I build another biplane I will try Revell. (I have a special affection for the Bristol Fighter after all, about which I have written fictionally.) Interplane and cabane struts are always rather tricky, but these required either four hands or a jig, and I do not have four hands or the patience for a jig. At least I have cleared a project from by backlog of half-built models and dusty shelf queens.

God save thee ancient modeller!
From the fiends that plague thee thus --
Why looks't thou so? -- oh don't you know
I smashed the Albatros

 

[JMac]

Sorry to hear about the Albatros.

As a mentioned eariler here's a few links to some aircraft builds. All of them were built by SMA forum member (the very talented) Panzerman. I believe he hand painted all of these...

http://www.scalemodeladdict.com/index.php/topic,5745.msg88393.html#msg88393
http://www.scalemodeladdict.com/index.php/topic,4981.msg74497.html#msg74497
http://www.scalemodeladdict.com/index.php/topic,7028.45.html

J

 

[Swanningabout]

Thanks for the links. The Triebflugel is particularly impressive.