P-38 and ModelMasters Metalizer?

You can use it without doing any harm, but it will not be flat.

I made a post a few months ago titled 'no more metalizer sealer for me' or something to that effect.

I had just acheived a beautiful, bright, aluminum finish on an F-86 (MM's buffable aluminum) and when I sealed it with MM's sealer, it took away the brilliance and actually discolored it to a very slight "aged" look , almost amber in tone. Kinda like some of those clear canopies that you get once in a while that aren't quite "clear".
I would highly recommend spraying the same metalizer that you used on a scrap piece, and mask off and spray half of that sample with the MM sealer, then look at the difference.
If anyone knows of a better, truly "clear" finish coat (for metalizers) I would like to hear. Maybe my sealer was just too old, I don't know, but next time I will definitely do a test before I commit to my model.

As Pix said, there will be no harm to the OD green, and true, it will not be flat, but you could then just mask for painting the nose and glare shield and then spray a flat clear for those.

If you do use the MM Metalizer sealer, let me know what you think of the results.

stinger

QUOTE: Originally posted by stinger I made a post a few months ago titled 'no more metalizer sealer for me' or something to that effect. I had just acheived a beautiful, bright, aluminum finish on an F-86 (MM's buffable aluminum) and when I sealed it with MM's sealer, it took away the brilliance and actually discolored it to a very slight "aged" look , almost amber in tone. Kinda like some of those clear canopies that you get once in a while that aren't quite "clear". stinger

I had the same thing happen to me on my P-38. Great metalizer finish, then used the sealer and POOF. Gone. Looked like I used regular silver paint. What a waste!

My advice is don't use a sealer when working with metalizers. Instead. Be careful handling the model when you need to. Having some sort of "hands free" aparatus is cherry. To clean it dust it with a camera lens brush or buff the metalized areas softly with an old t-shirt to get the finger prints and smears off. And if you have the resources (and motivation) encase the finished model under a glass dome. Keep away from small children and animals who love shinny things. I hate cats!

Hey Quag - Sorry it happened to you also, but now I know that I'm not the only one. I thought it was something I did wrong.

Swanny swears by AlClad II. He says it needs no sealer at all. I have a bottle of it and will try it on the next project that requires it. You guys have me interested in P-38's now, so maybe that's what I'll build.

If you can, check out the newest issue of Flight Journal mag. Has photos and flight reviews of that P-38 that was brought up out of a glacier.