Alclad 2

If you read the instructions on the Alclad bottles, you will find that different shades require different primers. For instance, the polished aluminum needs an acrylic gloss black, while the chrome, which is VERY shiny requires an enamel gloss black. The white aluminum, which IS great for alternate panel effect, requires a gloss lacquer black. So read those instructions on the bottles guys, and you cannot go wrong!

Thanks to you all for the ideas, suddenly the bleak Scottish springtime is brightening up!!

I won't dispute the others above, but I find that Tamiya X-18, Semi-Gloss Black works best for me...

I have used Acrylic, Enamel, and Alclad's own primers and had really good success with all of them. But it is true that when you first start to coat with Alclad, it can look pretty strange. It usually takes 2-3 coats.

Now I use Alclad Gray Primer, and/or the Alclad Glass Black.

I wrote some notes about it on one of my pages if you care to check there also... http://www.naplak.com/modeling/tips/paint_alclad.htm

Mkish is correct, I have always used an enamel base, per instructions. I have heard of modellers using an acrylic base but at $6.00 per bottle, I haven't felt like experimenting.

I think you need to use an enamel paint, not an acrylic...
M.

Hallo Ray,

if you´re working with Crome or HP Alu, you have to take Black or at least a dark grey for the base. It will create the best metal effect. If just applying 1 or 2 coats of Alclad, the base will always shine trought a bit, thats why I love preshading with this stuff! Just spray the panel lines with a medium grey - no more base - then alclad, 2-3 coats. You´ll get a wonderful effect! Remember to brush with no more than 1,5 bar! (10 psi)
You can use that blue Base anyway, just apply a few more coats of alclad. The blue shade will fade away. Personally I received the best results with white alu, using the other shades only to point out some panels on a natural metal finish.
Hope I could help!

Liebe Grüße aus Österreich!
Jerry