Exhaust Exhaustion for Phantom Phanatics: F-4G

I suppose it depends on what type of paint (Taimya, acrylics, enamels, etc.) you are hoping to use.  Tamiya's smoke does a nice job on exhaust, as does thin layers of Alclad's jet exhaust.  I think even model master does an exhaust color, though I find it a little 'gold' to my taste.  A heavier pre shade in the area might help before a layer of exhaust over top, but that could be tricky to accomplish the right look.  

Thanks.  I had anticipated pre-shading various parts of the exhaust area.  I'm bouncing around what "color" to use as the base layer.  The real one we have at Wings over the Rockies is almost charred black.  I guess if I knew what actual metal comprised the area, i.e. Steel, Aluminum, Titanium, etc., I could start there.  

When I tackle Academy's Phantom, I was going to use a few different colors,  steel, airframe aluminum,  maybe the steel as a shade and a lighter color overtop.  Alclad's steel comes off pretty dark to my eye.

Your base color should be black. that will act as preshading. The actual metal would be stainless steel, with some titanium I suppose. I start with a shiny aclad color such as stainless steel over my gloss black, leaving some black showing through, then go over a few random panels with a duller alclad, such as dark aluminum/duraluminum. Then add some washes and post shading with an exhaust/soot color. Look at as much ref pics of Phantoms in service as you can. Here is my F-4D wip:

cs.finescale.com/.../163868.aspx

Now that's how it's done, son!

Nathan, thanks for the tip.  I'll give it a shot

Upon the advice listed above I started by putting down a base of MM Gloss Black Acryllic.  I then hit the immediate aft and sides with Alclad Airframe Aluminum.  After a bit, I masked that area with post it notes and sprayed the "blast" area with a very light coat of Stainless steel.  Focusing on the individual panels leaving more of the black on some, less on others.  Once that had a chance to dry I shot Alclad Magnesium on various panels.  Real life pics show that they almost alternate dark/light so I felt the Magnesium would add the right tone.  Once that was done I misted on Alclad Pale Burnt Metal in an extremely thin coat.  Mainly just to add a touch of that burnt brown look.   I'm pretty happy with the results.  It's still a bit shiny but after some weathering I might get the look I'm going for.  

I'll post some pics as soon as I can find my camera.  My 4-year-old has discovered her calling as a Paparazzi lately and the camera has gone AWOL.

For my F 100, I just Alclad, Jet Exhaust and Clear Blue to achieve the heated metal effect.