Using Alclad for the first time

I use the Alcad grey primer under most of their colors.  (Lacquer based automotive primers will also work)  Their gloss black primer is to be used under Chrome and Polished Aluminum.  I also polish out the primer before applying the Alcad with 12000 and 15000 sand paper.  Sometimes the primer - polish - paint - primer -polish - paint cycle takes a few times because the finish shows EVERY small scratch and imperfection.

What the orange kitty said. I'll add that one doesn't have to use Alclads own primers. Any good primer polished up well will do. In fact, their own black primer has been disaterous to many a model with month long dry times. Most folk just use gloss black paint. See link.

http://www.swannysmodels.com/Alclad.html

If you want to do some polishing try Talon acrylic bare metal paints and the associated polishing powders. I personally don't polish Alclad, I lke it right out of the bottle.

Thanks for the responses and thanks to hkshooter for the link. I might have to try the Krylon thing as I just used plain ol' Testors gloss black for my trials. I hesitate though at trying to decant the paint as I am a clutz and can turn making toast into a disaster. The multi-colored carpet beneath my desk and paint spattered walls can atest to that....I always wear old clothing when working as I always seem to have more paint on me than on the kit!

I just want to be sure of what I am doing before I tackle the P51. If the results go well, there are so many other kits that I have never done as this is my first metal finish aircraft. 

Hey I'll show you a picture of a model I finished a few months ago. I followed Swannys instructions to the letter, using the decanted black Krylon. I wet sanded that before applying my pollished aluminum:

 

 

It's far from perfect but it's my first attempt so I see no reason you can't do the same or better. :)