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A couple of painting questions

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  • Member since
    October 2014
A couple of painting questions
Posted by JeffWard on Saturday, January 17, 2015 2:57 PM

Dear All,

I picked up the Minicraft PBM Mariner kit (my dad flew in them in the Korean War) and dutifully set out to buy the Modelmaster acrylic paints outlined in the instructions.

1. But I was rather surprised when the 4696 number turned out to be gloss white which is designated for the underside camouflage. Is gloss white simply a term for a specific color of flat paint or should the underside of the aircraft really be glossy?

When I asked one of the hobby store folks if this could possibly be correct, he said that Minicraft was looking for a specific tone of white and that I may have to apply a matt wash.

2. Thus, would somebody be willing to give me a 2 paragraph briefing on the appropriate application of a wash? And I can't seem to find a matt wash.

Thank you!

Jeff

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by Chrisk-k on Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:17 PM

1. It means the underside of the aircraft is glossy.  However, in reality it should look satin due to weathering.

2. You can simply apply "odorless mineral spirits" with a brush to kill gloss.  That'd be a matt wash.  

I'd simply spray a matt varnish once the model is finished to protect the model and to reduce gloss on the underside.

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Virginia
Posted by Mike F6F on Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:26 PM

Jeff,

One thing to consider is the time period you wish to show the aircraft.

The white underside was part of a three color USN camouflage that existed in WW II during 43-44.  If that's your time period of choice you are OK.

Since you mentioned your dad served in them during Korea, the USN paint scheme had changed to an overall glossy sea blue by that time with no white on the undersides.  If you want to represent the aircraft then, you needn't worry about the white.

Mike

 

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

  • Member since
    October 2014
Posted by JeffWard on Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:33 PM

Mike,

Thank you for pointing that out because you're dead on. My dad used to have pictures of the PBMs hung in his basement workshop and, you're right, that version of the aircraft was all blue.

Thanks!

Jeff

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Virginia
Posted by Mike F6F on Sunday, January 18, 2015 12:02 PM

Jeff,

Glad to help!

Enjoy the build.

Mike

 

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by Jason21 on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 3:10 PM
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