1st car: Paint questions

[Scefen]

Originally Posted by vaindioux

Scefen

Good questions you ask. It seems those questions never end, for me anyway.

You seem to be a newbie also posting, in the future try to start your own thread as this is called "Thread hijacking" and some people will get real mad at you. Not mad at all here, just figured I would let you know.

Patrick

Well I thought since you had your questions answered already I could just ask my painting questions here as well instead of having 30 different threads about almost the same thing, but I'll keep it in mind if it's a general rule on this forum. I've never encountered it in any other forum, but sure I'll respect it.

[drunken monkey]

Originally Posted by Scefen

Well I thought since you had your questions answered already I could just ask my painting questions here as well instead of having 30 different threads about almost the same thing

Bingo.
There are intelligent people in the world after all.

[jano11]

Originally Posted by Scefen

Well I thought since you had your questions answered already I could just ask my painting questions here as well instead of having 30 different threads about almost the same thing, but I'll keep it in mind if it's a general rule on this forum. I've never encountered it in any other forum, but sure I'll respect it.

I think there is no such rule, not here, so don't worry and keep them questions coming!

[SmokeyMcBear]

Originally Posted by jano11

I think there is no such rule, not here, so don't worry and keep them questions coming!

yeah, I'm actually a mod on another forum, and this is actually encouraged, no need to create multiple threads about the same topic, should keep all 1st paint questions in one place, sometime we would even change a topic title to encourage this... anyways.. on topic

the advice here has really helped me, i've just started to get into acrylics, i previously only used enamels, and they were actually pretty easy to use, especially out of spray can. Now I have a question regarding painting a gloss white car. I have the Tamiya TS gloss white can, and im trying to paint my model. I primed the car with tamiya grey primer, but when i spreay the car, it seems to coat unevenly and looks almost watery, I believe i shook the can enough to mix it properly, I havent tried heating it the paint up with warm water though. It just seems very uneven, and the enamels i used went on very well and the finish almost always came out great. This is my first time using a spray can of acrylic, so i just want to make sure this is normal. Thanks for the help.

[taliesen]

TS paints are technically a lacquer, not an acrylic - definitely not water based, at least, and require lacquer thinners instead of water or acrylic thinners for cleanup.

That being said - you may be trying to go too heavy on the first coats. You need to build up a good base of light mist coats before going for a wet coat. Also, for light or bright colors, your final primer coats should be white primer over the grey - this would be for whites, yellows, reds. Tamiya sprays are rather translucent, so spraying over a grey primer coat will darken the final color.

I found the tutorials on www.italianhorses.net to be very helpful in getting a good finish when I was starting back into the hobby - I'd recommend checking them out for a good perspective. There is more than one way to skin a cat, but Alex's steps seem easy to me.

[SmokeyMcBear]

Originally Posted by taliesen

TS paints are technically a lacquer, not an acrylic - definitely not water based, at least, and require lacquer thinners instead of water or acrylic thinners for cleanup.

That being said - you may be trying to go too heavy on the first coats. You need to build up a good base of light mist coats before going for a wet coat. Also, for light or bright colors, your final primer coats should be white primer over the grey - this would be for whites, yellows, reds. Tamiya sprays are rather translucent, so spraying over a grey primer coat will darken the final color.

I found the tutorials on www.italianhorses.net to be very helpful in getting a good finish when I was starting back into the hobby - I'd recommend checking them out for a good perspective. There is more than one way to skin a cat, but Alex's steps seem easy to me.

ah thanks... that will help, and yeah i probably should have went with the white primer instead of grey.. guess i'll have to go buy that. So for TS paints... whats a good method for removing an entire paint job for a model? I believe the ammonia (windex) is good for acylics, but maybe not so much the tamiya TS paints, again any help appreciated.

[MPWR]

Isopropyl alcohol is fantastic for removing Tamiya lacquers. You should be able to find 99% in most grocery or drug stores- if not, the 91% will do. It's best to soak the body in a sealable container. I like to use reusable plastic leftovers containers (also from the grocery store). It will strip the paint and primer, down to clean plastic.

TS colors often are somewhat translucent- so bright colors such as white, yellow, and red do need to be applied over a white base. Tamiya's white primer is perfect for this.

Originally Posted by SmokeyMcBear

ah thanks... that will help, and yeah i probably should have went with the white primer instead of grey.. guess i'll have to go buy that. So for TS paints... whats a good method for removing an entire paint job for a model? I believe the ammonia (windex) is good for acylics, but maybe not so much the tamiya TS paints, again any help appreciated.

[vaindioux]

Originally Posted by MPWR

Isopropyl alcohol is fantastic for removing Tamiya lacquers.
TS colors often are somewhat translucent- so bright colors such as white, yellow, and red do need to be applied over a white base. Tamiya's white primer is perfect for this.

MPWR

You are a wealth of information. I am going to research all your posts over the week-end, lots to be learned.

Patrick

[Seamus McRae]

Great thread & always a few things you can pick up on - even when you've sparayed a few models & think you have it right. A couple of things:

Patrick, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of spray cans - just be certain on what carries the paint in the can (i.e. acrylic, enamel, lacquer, cellulose). Here in Australia, we can't buy cellulose paint & thinners in Auto stores (they're only available to trade) so I don't have to worry with that one, but I've recently started using a generic enamel spray range from this store, which is basically suitable for indoor/outdoor use. The range is pretty basic but for block colours, they seem perfectly adequate & at AUD4 for a can the size of a water bottle against about AUD13 for a Tamiya spray, represents GREAT value. I've just finished spraying up Tommi's 2000 MC Evo6 with this brands Scarlet Red - awesome colour; really bright, & referring to another post here about Tamiya's rattle can gloss white, the gloss white sprays much better with more coverage (I've always had problems with Tamiya's white).

MPWR: I'm confused why you recommend stearing clear of Testors' spray cans. I used their bright yellow to spray up a Revell 'vette Z06 for the old man. Great colour. Awesome depth to it.

Anyhow, hope this has helped you as well Patrick

[vaindioux]

Originally Posted by Seamus McRae

Patrick, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of spray cans

Seamus

I will definitely experiment with some non hobby brands that I read are being used here in the states for car modeling. I know there is some money to be saved, I just need to get a hold of some junk plastic cars to experiment first, I don't want to melt any model I want to keep.
For my first car I will definitely use a hobby brand recommended here like Tamiya or testors.
I have been modeling military subjects for a few years and my primer of choice is Krylon which isn't made for the hobby but is cheap and works well for my needs , I have read some modeler stay away from it like the plague and I wonder why ?

Thanks and best regards

Patrick

[Seamus McRae]

Originally Posted by vaindioux

Seamus

I will definitely experiment with some non hobby brands that I read are being used here in the states for car modeling. I know there is some money to be saved, I just need to get a hold of some junk plastic cars to experiment first, I don't want to melt any model I want to keep.

Thanks and best regards

Patrick

Well mate, I can safely say, if you stick with the 1st 3 I listed, you won't have any probs with styrene bodies melting.

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by Seamus McRae

MPWR: I'm confused why you recommend stearing clear of Testors' spray cans. I used their bright yellow to spray up a Revell 'vette Z06 for the old man. Great colour. Awesome depth to it.

Because of the way that enamel cures, it has some characteristics that are not ideal for painting bodies. If you get it all on in one thin, opaque perfect coat, great. If not, it can be very problematic.

Testors does have a new line of lacquer- but I can't say much about it as I haven't tried it.

But Tamiya TS really is a terrific product. It is worth a dollar or two more a can, easily. Paint is not a place to cheap out, and it is not something to rush. Stripping and repainting always costs more time and money than using good paint the right way, and getting it right the first time.

[CrateCruncher]

I found that spraying a soda can or two helped me develop my skills without jeopardizing my precious car bodies until I was satisfied with how things looked and reacted. I still shoot a test panel each time I spray a new color/primer combination. I think colors, like people, have personalities and some take time to get to know or just won't get along no matter how gorgeous the container is.

[drunken monkey]

I use plastic spoons to test my paint as it has all the types of surfaces, edges, corners and recesses that a model car can have.
If you can paint a plastic spoon evenly AND polish it up, you will have no problems with a car body.

[Seamus McRae]

Good tip drunken monkey.