clear coat observation

[Ralphonso]

This isn't so much a hint or tip or any such, but simply an observation I made this weekend.


Acrylic clear flat coats (Tamiya vs. Model Master Acrylic)


I like to add an almost flat satin finish to my AFV models. To do this I mix Future (or Pledge or whatever it is now) with acrylic flat. Typically I do this us Tamiya flat clear (FX-86), or if my hobby shop doesn't have it (which is typical, because its run by a bunch of flat-headed, snaggle-toothed sub-morons) I'll use the rattle can flat coat and decant it into my airbrush.

I also have a supply of the MM Acryl flat in the house, because I've always preferred that for aircraft models, but I was never sure why. But I figured it out.

MM Acrylic flat makes a smoother finish than Tamiya's, especially when mixed with Future.

This is great for simulating the smooth painted aluminum surfaces of an aircraft model, but ends up looking not-quite right on an AFV.

Tamiya's clear flat mixed with Future, gives me a very lightly textured finish, which I have found to be a nice proxy of the slightly textured finish of painted steel.


Here is a surface finished with MM Acrylic flat with a few drops of Future (great on airplanes - like this 1/72 scale F/A-18-C)



and here is Tamiya with a few drops of Future (1/35 IS-2)

[biggles]

One thing to be aware of when using Future/Pledge is that it's an acrylic wax and it will build up and harden in the airbrush. It's much more difficult to clean out than acrylic paint. It's an especially bad idea to spray it through an Aztec airbrush!

[Ralphonso]

I always blast some Windex through the brush right afterwards