Undercoating Alclad

When you ask about the primer are you asking about the grey micro filler primer or the gloss black base?

As far as QC goes Alclad II had some issues a awhile back but they have long since been corrected.  Any bottles purchased in the last 3 years won't have any issues.  I just sprayed the Alclad Gloss Black base 15 mins before I wrote this and its already dry and solid.

When it comes to painting the only time you will need the gloss black base (which doesn't have to be the Alclad II Gloss Black paint, btw) is when you are using the "high shine" paints.  The regular paints just need a smooth surface.  It has sort of become internet legend that you need the gloss black base for any of the Alclad II colors.  This isn't true.

If you do use the high shine colors apply them in light misty coats and build them up slowly.

Fly-n-hi,

Thanks for the info. I knew the low shine (Aluminum and such) didn't require the black. For some reason I just thought they had a gloss gray primer as well. Would a Model Master gloss gray work well for a base coat? I know that being a lacquer, Alclad is a little more aggressive than most paints I use.

Thanks again.

You can get multiple panel color variation with one shade of Alclad if you use different color primers. For example spray black, lighter blacks to greys and even white then mist on the Alclad. The result will be subtle shade variations. The glossy primers will produce a smoother shinier shade,  the flat primer will give the Alclad an oxidized weathered look. For the high shine ones I use Testors gloss black enamel in the small bottle.

I have used Testors gloss gray enamel on some panels for undercoat with alclad.  If some of the others are in the gloss black you get some variation in appearance.  Also, I use regular Testors gloss black for a high shine, rather than Alclad's primer.  That goes over my regular primer.

Thanks guys. I guess as long as I let the Testor's enamel cure, there should be no issues with Alclad. Awesome, can't wait to test it out!