Any pointers anyone ? I only have a cheap airbrush at the moment, not looking for pointers on the spraying side of things at the moment, as Im learning that slowly... more a case of how do you go about painting / finishing your models ?

I have a Challenger 2 and a Warrior MCV I am working on at the moment, I have sprayed the main bodies, some of it needs a second coat, but in general I am very happy with the finish on the surface so far..... now, I have some Pro modeller weathering wash... do I need to spray matt varnish on the model before I start using this stuff ? at the moment I am using enamel paints for spraying, so what kind of matt varnish am I looking for ? I currently have some xtra color stuff.. which I wish to spray on, but it needs thining.. do I use white spirits, or normal enamel thinners ? My experience with varnishes are that they usualy end up with a tinge of yellow to them when they dry.. which shouldnt be too bad in this case as the models in question are in desert yellow !
anyways, spray color onto model.. coat of matt varnish.. apply decals ? then another coat of matt varnish... then weather effects ?

or is it done another way ?

Ta.

I use the Promodeller washes, but on aircraft. I use them over a gloss finish, because I'm not after a heavily weathered effect, just highlighting panels and detail. On a matt finish much more of the Promodeller wash will stay behind, and you'll get a much dirtier effect. Be aware that if you varnish over Promodeller wash it darkens the colour of the wash residue somewhat.

Xtracolour is an enamel, so enamel thinners would be your best bet. I like cellulose thinners because I feel it makes the paint dry quicker and 'key' to the plastic better. It's 'hot' stuff though so usual practices apply when spraying this stuff around.

I would always apply decals to a gloss finish to do away with 'silvering' of the carrier film. Microset and microsol are invaluable to the decalling process. I have found Johnson's 'Klear' to be excellent for achieving a gloss finish, and it is very tough. The formula has changed recently though so that would be something to look out for.

So, paint, gloss finish, decal, you're choice on whether to weather on matt or gloss, final finish.

If you aren't already a member, join up at Britmodeller. You will find everything you possibly need to know about modelling there!

Have fun,
Gareth

Thanks

You are definately right on the gloss / matt thing with the weathering ! it makes a huge difference !

What colour are you going to spray Aberdare now then mate ;p

I love the Xtracolour stuff, but for airbrushing I would personally recommend the Xtacrylix range - they are water-based which means they are much easier to clean, and much safer in regards to having no vapourised solvents around. You can still breathe in the atomised plastic though, so a proper particle/organic mask is still a must (not a DIY dust mask!)

For thining enamels try Turpentine Substitute from a DIY shop, it's dirt cheap and you can buy it by the litre. I've used it with Humbrol enamels for years without problems, but the Xtracolour stuff could be a different solvent base. The only downside is that beyond a certain ratio it can retard drying and is a little greasier than proprietary thinners, but that's only really seen if you use it for washes.

Cheers for the tips peeps

Im thinning using Humbrol thinners at the moment.... my only problem is I sometimes use too much of that, and haver to watch the paint doesnt run too much before it dries !

I have never used acrylics... I have quite a lot of enamel paints though !

My chrimbo present this year is a starter / standard class revell airbrush ? Should be able to do more with that one then, as the cheap thing I have is great for large areas, but useless for anything else !

Acrylics are much easier to thin, airbrush and clean up, and you don't need thinner around at all times. I thin my Tamiya and Xtracrylics with a mix of water and a little bit of dishwashing detergent. A good indicator of your paint/thinner ratio is to dip a bit of sprue in the thinned paint. If it runs off the sprue in a steady stream it's too thick. When it starts dripping off the sprue in evenly sized drops you're just about right. I never bother to measure ratios when I thin, I do it by "feel", and it mostly works out It also helps to have a spare model or a scrap fuselage half to test spray on. I always do this to make sure I don't mess up a nicely prepared model.

A question on painting white if I may...

Is it better to spray in gloss white, do the weathering and then spray matt varnish over it ?

I am weary of white paint and how it can yellow over time... and not quite sure if its just the gloss / satin white left on its own that tends to yellow...


any advice fellas ? cheers.

Yes, that's the best way. Matt white paint is a bit porous so weathering will usually create unwanted effects. The gloss of gloss paints acts as an impenetrable lacquer that will make weathering easier.
Against yellowing, I'm afraid the only solution is to keep the model in the dark. UV light will break down the paint and cause it to become yellow.