Good shiny Formula 1 body paint using a spray paint can?

Wow, I'm glad I did a forum search for Tamiya Formula as this one is almost exactly what I wanted to discuss! I'm about to build that same Tamiya Lotus 99T as in the first post and wondered if I should be admitted instantly into the National Modeling  Hall Of Shame if I didn't actually paint the body at all.

If I'm reading correctly, the destructions of the Lotus actually call for a mixture ration of yellow and orange for the exact body color which I'm definitely not interested in accomplishing. Thanks to this thread,however, I did see a Tamiya TS34 Camel Yellow spray paint which I would be perfectly comfortable with as I've been wet sanding and polishing models for years for a better shine and finish.

The Tamiya paint availability used to be a big issue, but all the problems, except the possibility of all the back-orders, seems to be solved for now.  Some shops may have just given up, but our LHS has full racks now and seems to be able to get what they want.  

If your LHS is failing you, you should be able to order almost any color Tamiya from the mail-order places.  I see Squadron and Sprue Brothers has Tamiya sprays in stock.

Gene Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

I solved the Tamiya paint availability issue by buying it in Canada!  It's expensive ($10 CDN) but this is an option if you happen to live within driving distance of the border.

Yeah that should be OK, but make sure that you shake the can really well, the 99T kit is a beauty as well, good luck on your build.

I just saw nice full racks of Tamiya spray paints at my local hobby shop!

Are you in the U.S.? Tamiya had labeling issues awhile back but I'd check with your LHS. Ins some instances certain colors in the line are either discontinued or banned for resale in the U.S. due to this problem most notably the TS-13 Clear (ya that killed my car modeling). I would look for a back-up option just in case.

"Thank you guys! Tamiya kit and paint ordered now :) I will post progress when I start, but it seems to be in backorder for now..."

You can get perfect results using a can.

The shinny gloss doesn't come in cans, it comes in sand paper. Shine is all about sanding, starting with about 2000 grit and progresively up to 12,000. After that and a tiny drop of Novus # 2 polish, you'll have a perfect mirror finish.

corvettemike

Are you guys using Testors decanting and airbrushing? I can't seem to get good results from a can with that stuff.

I've had decent luck with the paint spraying right out of the can.  Tamiya spray paint is the best spraying stuff I've used out of the can.  Other brands, including Model Master, I've had some issues.  Nothing really bad, but I do note that the paint does behave differently from can-to-can with brands other than Tamiya. 

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

Thank you guys! Tamiya kit and paint ordered now :) I will post progress when I start, but it seems to be in backorder for now...

Tamiya TS sprays are good and  you can get a really level gloss finish but use them carefully. They chuck out the paint FAST so light coats from about 25cm only or you will have runs. it is best to warm them up in warm water to help the paint flow but not too hot! and dry the can off properly before using. Unfortunately that means the awkward bits will be hard to coat so i only use the cans for body shell, petrol tank, fairings etc.  if you look at the f1-2001 ferrari i did the white is tamiya ts-26 as is the fairing on the bimota tesi. the red of the ferrari is actually flat not gloss, but is then clearcoated and polished (not absolutely neccesary btu the paint will be leveler giving a true reflection). so dont think you HAVE to use a gloss paint to have a gloss finish. You can apply a flat paint in thinner coats to avoid runs and then clearcoat it after. Some clearcoats give a very good finish if hand painted but i have never done this so someone else will have to advise on that.

DSC01386 by omgpainful, on Flickr PICT0021 by omgpainful, on Flickr

So as I read it, it is possible to get a good result only using the Tamaya can's. If I read you right, the paint in a paintbrush is thinner and thus can be applied in thinner layers, so is the trick to keep a good distance from the car when spraying with the can and short bursts, or do you have any tips there?

Søren

Are you guys using Testors decanting and airbrushing? I can't seem to get good results from a can with that stuff.

As the others have said, use the Tamiya gloss colors.  On finishes I wanted a high gloss on, I later top coat the color with some Model Master High Gloss Clearcoat.  I've had great results that way.  

Gene Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

Definately. I used nothing but Tamiya TS sprays on my cars until they became discontinued here in the U.S. due to labeling problems. Sadly most of the colors are back except (getting two sources on this) the clear coats. One says they are banned for sale in the U.S. the other says Tamiya discontinued them from the line. Either way my cars are sad now until I can find a suitable replacement. This one was painted with Tamiya spray cans as were the rest in the gallery. sites.google.com/.../2005-corvette-convertable To truly get a superior finish however, you should purchase a polishing kit such as this one from detail master and somesort of auto rubbing compound/wax to bring out the shine. www.hobbylinc.com/.../dtm9040.htm

The finish of spray paint can is undoubtedly very shiny but I find it hard to control specially in the nooks and crannies of a car so I prefer an airbrush. I can spray very thin coats at a time and built up to a very shiny almost glass finish. The overall thickness of the paint is almost even in all parts of the car.