Painting advice needed

Jay,

I guess I've always had better finishes using flat and then clear coat, but I should try gloss black to start and see what happens (on a test piece). Thanks!

Thanks, Don. I appreciate your guiding me in the right direction. I'll check those forums.

Hypertex,

Thanks for your advice. My only concern about putting on decals before washes and weathering is that they might rub off when I'm wiping off the excess wash after it dries. Is there a way to secure them to avoid this?

If you are going to end up with a gloss finish, and you are worried about paint build-up, why not paint it gloss black in the first place? That would eliminate several layers.

Jay

I would get aquainted with the Techniques and the Painting and Airbrushing forums.  These are down near the end of the list, but washes and other weathering techniques, and their relationship to painting, are frequent threads on these forums, and I think you would benefit from looking at recent or current threads on the topic.

I suggest you put the decals on before you do any washes or weathering. That's how most people do it. That way the decals get the same weathering as the rest of the aircraft. So you end up with

1. primer/base color coat;

2. clear gloss;

3. decals;

4. clear gloss;

5. wash(es) and weathering;

6. final clear coat (usually flat)

Apply the clear gloss in very fine coats and the detail won't be obscured. This is the tough part for me because I have trouble seeing the clear paint as I spray it on. I've never tried future as a gloss coat, so I can't speak to that. I use Alclad II or Tamiya gloss coats.