Confirmation need for Painting

Hi all, I hope you don't mind me asking what seems to be a dumb question with all the wealth of information here but I was unable to find an answer to a few questions.

I'm about to start building 3 models (one at a time) and wanted to just check I have this correct, I have the Lotus 99T which I intend to paint black as Lotus 98T, is it correct to use Grey primmer for this, as well as Tyrrell P34, should I use white primmer? or would grey be ok?

After spraying these would I be correct in saying that I could add the decals then clear-coat? I have used Hiroboy supplies before and notice there is Clearcoat Lacquer (Pre-Thinned) 100ml, would this be ok? and maybe 2 coats?

I also have on the way the McLaren 1/20 M23, once again white primmer, base-coat (white/red) but the question of red comes up, Hiroboy do a McLaren red but Tamiya spray do 2 other cans that others have used for this model, TS36 or TS56, any suggestions? Once that base-coat is applied could I then decals it and clear-coat after?

Thanks in advance
Colin

Hi Colin,

First of all. If you about to use tamiya spray cans, always use white primer even for black and blue and white. If you use tamiya ts spray cans, you don't need to clear coat before decals. After decals you can use pre thinned clear from zero paints, no problem. For the McLaren. You can go for zero paints or tamiya, but dont use ts56 instead of ts36. Always use fluo red ts 36, because in my opinion is the ts36 closest to the real color. I hope i answert you questions.

Lesley

Decals apply best onto a gloss surface. TS sprays are gloss, so no need to clear coat them before the decals. Zero paints are matt finish, so apply a light clear coat ot two before the decals so that the surface is smooth. You can clear coat both the TS sprays and the Zero paints again after the decals. It's not essential as some people just polish the decals, but I always clear coat over them for protection and a nice uniform finish. Use white primer under the TS sprays as they are very thin, with Zero just use grey under the darker colours and white under reds, yellows etc...

Thanks to the both of you for that information, very helpful and pretty much what I thought.

I'll probably go for the Zero red from Hiroboy, gonna go for the white primmer for all models as the colours are pretty much light, well except for the Lotus of course.

thanks again
Colin