Newbies first post REALISTIC GLOSS PAINT IN 1 /24th

After applying a good gloss coat and letting it dry a good long time,(Much longer than the flat paints you're used to) get some polishinig pads from the hobby store. They come in a set of 8 or so with grits ranging from 1600 to 32000. Then polish, polish, polish. The last pads feel so fine, you'd think they won't do anything. Then you can then apply a coat of carnuba wax and buff that out as you would with a real car.

here ya go Mark....
http://www.briansmodelcars.com/tutorials/tutorial.asp?TutorialID=12&CurPage=1

and heres oem just gereneral links lined up....
http://www.briansmodelcars.com/tutorials/index.asp

I have also heard of people painting flat, and then using future or the like to bring it back to a gloss like you are referring to. I did it once to a roof of a car I built, and it is a definate dialed down gloss. It looks like a car that is driven, and came out of the carwash. While if I paint a high gloss, and polish it, it looks like it is a show car. I would try it out on a scratch piece first to see if it is what you are going for.

Also it is recommended to wait at least 10 days for a gloss paint to dry. I always jump the gun, and my finish is sometimes compromised.

First,

Thanks to everyone who has posted both info and links, all the info is very greatly appreciated.

The type of process that kik36 refers to sounds like the sort of thing I am after. I am not aiming for a deep shiny gloss, I am after a wether beaten "Was once gloss, but has lost most of its shine" type look.

Any more info would be appreciated.

M

Hi Mark,

I've used the following steps....

(1) Wash the plastic with water and a small amount of dish detergent to eliminate any grease... (bare fingers should NOT touch the car body from this point on)....Apply the colors

(2) Apply Testors Gloss-Coat to the assembled body and place a box over it to keep dust/fiber particles from settling on it, don't touch for 4 days.

(3) Apply decals and let stand for 2 days.

(4) Apply another good coat of Gloss-Coat and place under the box for another 4 days.

(5) Lightly apply some automotive rubbing compound with a cottonball to reduce the super glossy finish.

Hope this helps,
Frank

GENTLY heat the spray can in a pan of warm/hot water. Never boiling water. Shake vigorously,shake some more,shake again. Start with "mist coats" by holding the can a foot from the body. After a few of these, allowing 15 minutes or so between coats, lay it on a little heavier by spraying a little closer. Keep the paint warm. Don't try to cover the body with one heavy coat. After a few heavy coats,again waiting about 15mins, put the darn thing away in a dust free place for at least 10 days. This should do it !

I use atuo paint from my local car store
1st prime with primer ( auto)
then spray with laquar paint from car store
works ok for me