Hello from a sporadic modeler

[Bbdave]

Hi I am a sporadic modeler I tend to have highs and lows with models my main issue is clear coat finishes I have models that are almost done but I dare not apply the final coats.
But I carry on building and fingers crossed someone will be able to help me out. I build mainly aircraft and sci-fi.

Dave

[Tomcat64]

Hello Dave, and to the ISM forum.

When you get a moment please check out the forum guidelines which can be found ---> here

We'd love to see your work & progress but in order to post photos you will need to host them on an external site such as Flickr and then link to them from the forum. Unfortunately the forum currently doesn't have sufficient capacity or bandwidth to host directly uploaded photos.

There is a quick guide on how to use the Flickr integration on the forum ---> here and a couple of step by step guides in here

As well as the forum boards there is a really useful Modeller Toolkit available which can help with paint matching, paint thinning, glue types & a scale calculator that can be found ---> here

We also run a number of group builds & special interest groups through the year so feel free to enter any of those that you like the look of - once they're set up they can be found ---> here

Otherwise take a look around and join in, and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Have fun!

[digger303]

Hi I am a sporadic modeler I tend to have highs and lows with models my main issue is clear coat finishes I have models that are almost done but I dare not apply the final coats.
But I carry on building and fingers crossed someone will be able to help me out. I build mainly aircraft and sci-fi.

Dave

What paints do you use ?
How do you apply ? Airbrush or brush ?
What clears do you have ?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Hello and welcome
You will fit right in here with sporadic modelling

[BigWall]

Welcome to the board! Be sure to show us your work and as mentioned above, what kind of paint are you using?

[Bbdave]

Hello Dave, and to the ISM forum.

When you get a moment please check out the forum guidelines which can be found ---> here

We'd love to see your work & progress but in order to post photos you will need to host them on an external site such as Flickr and then link to them from the forum. Unfortunately the forum currently doesn't have sufficient capacity or bandwidth to host directly uploaded photos.

There is a quick guide on how to use the Flickr integration on the forum ---> here and a couple of step by step guides in here

As well as the forum boards there is a really useful Modeller Toolkit available which can help with paint matching, paint thinning, glue types & a scale calculator that can be found ---> here

We also run a number of group builds & special interest groups through the year so feel free to enter any of those that you like the look of - once they're set up they can be found ---> here

Otherwise take a look around and join in, and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Have fun!

Thanks I'm not sure of.its me but I can't find any gbs that are current they all seem to be 2022 builds the only 2023 I see is the poll of whether there should be a gb.

Dave

[Bbdave]

Hi I am a sporadic modeler I tend to have highs and lows with models my main issue is clear coat finishes I have models that are almost done but I dare not apply the final coats.
But I carry on building and fingers crossed someone will be able to help me out. I build mainly aircraft and sci-fi.

Dave

What paints do you use ?
How do you apply ? Airbrush or brush ?
What clears do you have ?

Hi I use mr color through an airbrush I have some clear to try but not plucked up the courage to try it yet.

Dave

[cor]

Hi I am a sporadic modeler I tend to have highs and lows with models my main issue is clear coat finishes I have models that are almost done but I dare not apply the final coats.
But I carry on building and fingers crossed someone will be able to help me out. I build mainly aircraft and sci-fi.

Dave

What problems are you having with the clear coats?

[DRUMS01]

What scale is your sporadic?

Just kidding, your in the right place within this forum as there are many paint experts.

[digger303]

It's not that tricky to spray clear it's just another paint really.
I tend not to mix chemistry. So alternate between Lacquer and water based and spray the first coat with a light spray, wait a minute then go back with a heavier coat allowing some time between coats for it to mostly dry....not long.
I use over mr Hobby paints....Alcad aqua gloss....do my weathering ( enamel based)....last coat using AK ultra matte. I model armour mostly.
Help that helps a little.
Oh and as soon as your done clean the Airbrush is a must.

[Tomcat64]

Thanks I'm not sure of.its me but I can't find any gbs that are current they all seem to be 2022 builds the only 2023 I see is the poll of whether there should be a gb.

Dave

Hi Dave,

These are this year's ongoing GBs

Bombers: Bombers
Sci Fi: Sci fi
Figures: Figures
Helicopters: WhirlyBirds

The Large Scale GB has technically finished but a couple of us are still plodding along in there: Large Scale

[Stokesy44]

What scale is your sporadic?

Just kidding, your in the right place within this forum as there are many paint experts.

I take issue with the word 'expert' #confidentamateur

[Bbdave]

It's not that tricky to spray clear it's just another paint really.
I tend not to mix chemistry. So alternate between Lacquer and water based and spray the first coat with a light spray, wait a minute then go back with a heavier coat allowing some time between coats for it to mostly dry....not long.
I use over mr Hobby paints....Alcad aqua gloss....do my weathering ( enamel based)....last coat using AK ultra matte. I model armour mostly.
Help that helps a little.
Oh and as soon as your done clean the Airbrush is a must.

Thanks what panel liner would you use over that I've tried the solvent/laquer based ones but find it re softens the clear coat so when I wipe excess off it just ends up a mess.

Dave

[digger303]

My usual way is to spray Mr hobby thinned with lacquer then spray 3 or 4 coats of Alcad aqua gloss now depending on your climate wait 3 or 4 days for it too harden properly sometimes a week. then I will weather with AK enamel washes or Tamiya panel liner a small area at a time. Clean up with white spirts as you go after it has dried 90%, but be careful not to rub on one spot too long or it will eat your clear. Keep a eye on your cotton buds to see if any paint is coming off...if so stop. Trick is to do small area's at a time and be quick. Once that is done I go back over with AK ultra matte to seal it all in and protect. Sometimes adding a few drops of one of the colours used in the camo as well to well tie it all together.
Probably makes you a little nervous, but try it on a cheap kit you don't care too much for and you'll find it is easier than you think atm.

[Bbdave]

Thank you I'll give that a try.

Dave

[Bbdave]

Thanks I'm not sure of.its me but I can't find any gbs that are current they all seem to be 2022 builds the only 2023 I see is the poll of whether there should be a gb.

Dave

Hi Dave,

These are this year's ongoing GBs

Bombers: Bombers
Sci Fi: Sci fi
Figures: Figures
Helicopters: WhirlyBirds

The Large Scale GB has technically finished but a couple of us are still plodding along in there: Large Scale

Thank you I presume they run till the end of the year?, probably a little late for me to start anything as we're getting to a busy time of year.

Dave

[Tomcat64]

Hi Dave,

These are this year's ongoing GBs

Bombers: Bombers
Sci Fi: Sci fi
Figures: Figures
Helicopters: WhirlyBirds

The Large Scale GB has technically finished but a couple of us are still plodding along in there: Large Scale

Thank you I presume they run till the end of the year?, probably a little late for me to start anything as we're getting to a busy time of year.

Dave

Sorry for the delay in responding to this one Dave; if you check the chat & guidelines section in each GB there is a post with the rules which includes the start & finish dates. We've tried something a little different this year with year-long GBs running at staggered intervals so some of them will go into next year.

Here's a quick summary of the finish dates for current GBs for reference in any case:

Bombers: 31st December 2023
Sci Fi: 31st December 2023
Figures: 31st March 2024
Helicopters: June 30th 2024